When people think about native sons coming back or staying in their hometowns to give back, Shon Jackson is a perfect example.
Johnson was born and raised in Colleton County. He started elementary school attending St. Anthony’s Catholic School with Sister Marjorie, Ms. Louise Kelly, and Ms. Moultrie. From there he went to went to Forest Hills Elementary, then to Black Street, to Forest Hills, and Hampton Street. He attended Campus A and B for middle school, and he proudly says that he is a Bulldog, graduating from Walterboro High School.
While Johnson was in middle school, he was in band playing alto saxophone. What he enjoyed most, however, in high school, was the drama club. He and the other club members put on plays and other productions. What he remembers with utmost fondness is in his junior year he and some of his friends wrote a play together, called “Someone Who Cares.” Johnson still has the old manuscript, all wrinkled and creased and handwritten with notes in the margins because “back then” there was no computer to keep your manuscript. Johnson and his group were given the greenlight to put the play on, and they did. “Someone Who Cares” became a drama club production.
After high school, Johnson attended mortuary school at Gupton-Jones in Atlanta. He had already been working locally at Hamilton Funeral Home at 16, washing cars and then moved on to a more involved capacity in the funeral home services. Johnson comments, “I just have a love for it.” People have questioned him as to why he loves it on more than one occasion. The answer is one that defines the way Johnson walks through his life. He views funeral services as a ministry and a way to serve people, especially in one of their darkest moments. While he did not finish mortuary school, Johnson’s next venture led him straight again into serving people and ministry when he attended Rhema Bible College. There he received a bachelor’s degree in Christian education. Shon has been an ordained minister since he was 17 and more recently was ordained as an elder. Currently he pastors New Day Ministries in Summerville. He is very proud to say that his church is growing by leaps and bounds.
Johnson’s employment with CCSD started with substitute teaching. After substituting, a position became available in the special needs department and thus he began working as an aide with special needs children. He reflects that “he got close to a lot of those kids during that time. One kid became like a little brother to me. Everywhere I went, he went. I enjoyed every moment.”
Johnson’s currently position in the district is as a JAG Specialist. JAG is the acronym for Jobs for America’s Graduates. Years ago, CCSD had the JAG program and Johnson comments that it was a great program. It was cut, because the program itself wanted certified teachers to lead. This qualification let JAG getting cut across the state due to some leaders being certified in other areas, but not in teaching. Governor McMaster, who is a big proponent of the JAG program, saw how the requirements were negatively affecting the program, amended the qualifications to be one must have a bachelor’s degree, but does not have to be certified to teach. This allowed for a resurgence in the JAG program, and it is back in full force with Mr. Johnson and colleagues such as Alana Lane leading the way. JAG is labeled as a “dropout prevention” program, Johnson does not necessarily like that explanation, because it can sometimes give the impression that only troubled students are in the program. JAG is for every student. The student does not have to be on the edge of dropping out. This program is to give students the knowledge and the resources of how to navigate the world after high school when searching for employment. This program teaches leadership skills, resume writing, job interviewing skills, teamwork, communication skills, work attainment, financial literacy and other skills needed to navigate the job market and/or adulthood. These skills can be a simple as how to greet someone; shake their hand, introduce themselves, look the other person in the eye. It can also be as involved as putting together a resume and a cover letter. Technology does not negate having to interact with people one on one. A resume may be submitted online, but eventually an interview will have to be held, and through JAG the student will be equipped to handle that situation. JAG also has programs all over the United States and even the world. A resume with JAG credentials on it, may be given an additional look because of those three little letters, and those three little letters can translate into a big opportunity. The JAG program walks hand in hand with the mission of CCSD to prepare every student to graduate with a 21st century education to be globally competitive for their chosen college and/or career path. Johnson is passionate about the JAG program, and he loves helping the students think outside and beyond the box when thinking about their future.
Personally, Johnson has been married to his wife Celia Teasdel for 15 years and they have three children, son Shon (S.J.) 13, daughter London (11), and son Holland (3). His family is his ultimate joy, and he is absolutely a hands-on Dad. Johnson also enjoys procedural crime dramas. He admits freely to being old school. He still carries around a calendar that he hand writes dates and to-do lists on and keeps papers that he says he probably should have discarded years ago, despite Mrs. Celia telling him he needs to embrace the technology that is the calendar on his phone.
When asked what he would do if time and money were no obstacle Shon answers in a way that one might come to expect in a person that has dedicated his life to being of good service. Johnson comments that of course there would be little excursions with his family and traveling a little here and there. However, he says that he would use that time and money to continue to be of good service for the good of others.
