2008 Golden Apple Award winning teacher Al Johnson of West Middle School describes himself as "a product of the Rapid City School system." According to Johnson, that is not a bad thing.

"We have 14 teachers and staff members at West that went to school here," said Johnson. "I'd say we're doing something right."

Johnson has taught 8th-grade math at West for the past four years. Graduating from Stevens High School in 1981, the University of South Dakota in 1985, and earning his master's degree from South Dakota State University in 1998, Johnson also has taught at South Middle School, Stevens High School and Central High School, and has 22 years of teaching experience.

Affectionately known at West as "Papa J," Johnson spent two years in the seminary, preparing to become a Catholic priest, before he decided to try teaching instead. "Ninety-nine out of 100 days, I have fun here. It's fun to come to school, and that's my main motivation. Priest, teacher…it's never been about money for me."

The married father of six describes his family life as something similar to "The Brady Bunch" without cell phones, although some of his students have drawn other comparisons. "I heard one of my students say one time, 'Mr. Johnson, you must be Amish - you don't even have cable!'"

When Johnson first got into teaching, he intended to teach history, but the need for math instructors made him decide to try that subject instead. He admits that he wasn't always the best math student, finally excelling in college. "Maturity made it click for me," he said. "For most math students, it's developmental maturity, not behavioral maturity, that makes the difference."

According to Johnson, most parents are mystified by the math taught at the middle school level, although they needn't be. "I tell them that they solve the biggest algebra problem every month: when they pay their bills," he said. "Math is a foreign language to many people, and they don't like it because they don't get it. But it's important for them to have an understanding of it to be competent in our world."

Johnson brings enthusiasm, creativity, spontaneity, and motivation into his classroom every day. "Every child has a chance to shine, and they all go to the board to show off what they can do. Sometimes not right away, but eventually I get them all up there. Praise is an all the time thing in my room. Everybody likes to hear that they've done a nice job."

Johnson credits his family, and now-retired Central High School math teacher Dana West for acting as his role models. "I stole a quote from Dana West that I hand out to my class on the first day of school: 'I cannot make math easy…it already is!' I do nothing special. I just let the kids run with the ball."