Fourth Generation Educator

When Christopher Johnston attends the Graduate School of Education's convocation next week, he'll be wearing 47-year-old regalia — the cap and gown his grandfather wore when he was getting an honorary doctorate as president of Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University) in River Forest, Ill.

Christopher Johnston wearing his grandfather's regalia. Photo courtesy of Christopher Johnston

But Johnston, who will receive a PhD in mathematics education leadership, has an academic pedigree that goes back even farther than that: His great-grandfather was a professor at Concordia College in Milwaukee and also received an honorary doctorate. And since Johnston's mother has taught in elementary schools for more than 30 years, that makes him a fourth-generation educator.

Johnston, a specialist in Mason's Mathematics Education Program Office, will, however, be the first one in his family to receive an earned doctorate, he points out.

Even with this legacy, Johnston says he wasn't pressured to follow "the family business," so to speak.

"In high school, I began teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible school at my church, and that's where I began my career path," Johnston says.

Before beginning his studies at Mason in the spring of 2004, Johnston taught middle school math for six years. In 2006, Johnston became a graduate research assistant, and he joined the Mathematics Education Program Office staff last summer.

He has taught the Advanced Elementary Math Methods course at Mason for several semesters and supported professor Jennifer Suh in teaching the Elementary Math Methods course.

Johnston earned a BA in elementary education with a concentration in mathematics and an MA in mathematics and computer science education from Concordia University.

After graduation, Johnston will pursue a university professorship.

By Catherine Ferraro and Robin Herron