Johnson’s impact as teacher, coach on display for nearly three decades

Manuela Dabiri

For the past 23 years, Philip Johnson has found a way to blend his passion for coaching with his love for teaching. 

Johnson, a biology teacher who coaches indoor/outdoor track and field and cross country, has relied on a steady dose of empowering a number of students and athletes to push past their limits and achieve their goals. 

That number, after 27 total years as an educator, is in the thousands. 

Today, Johnson’s journey is full of insights on how he manages and balances the demands of both roles and what motivates him to help students and athletes reach their full potential.

​Johnson’s path to coaching followed his father’s footsteps. A runner himself, his father’s influence sparked his interest in the sport. Johnson ran track in high school, but his passion for coaching was solidified during his collegiate time at Coppin State University.

Today, balancing coaching during three different seasons while teaching can be a challenge, but Johnson manages it through organization and help from his coaching assistants.

“It’s all about staying organized,” Johnson said. “Having extra hands makes a huge difference, especially when it comes to managing emails, organizing training sessions and preparing for competitions.”

Of all the athletes Johnson has coached, one aspect has remained consistent. 

“Seeing them reach goals they didn’t believe they could accomplish – that’s what drives me,” he said. “Whether it’s shaving seconds off their times or hitting personal bests, I get the most satisfaction out of helping athletes grow both physically and mentally.”

Coaching both distance runners and sprinters also presents unique challenges. Johnson said that while athletes may not respond similarly to training methods, each still has to be strong mentally to compete.

“Sometimes it’s just about finding the right fit for each runner, ensuring that every athlete gets the right training for their body type and goals,” Johnson said. "The beauty of sports though, regardless of athlete type or physical makeup, is that they can prepare you for life, teaching perseverance and resilience. In sports and life you need to be tough-minded and be able to push through the tough moments.” 

For Johnson, coaching track and field has provided countless moments and memories. One of the most touching came from an athlete who had never participated in sports before. The student, a talented musician, surprised everyone by qualifying for the state competition. 

"His mom was in tears,” Johnson recalled, “thanking me for giving her son the opportunity to try something athletic. That moment was truly special.”

Johnson said he recognizes that not every competitor is going to be a champion, but anyone can get better with consistency and effort. 

The same applies to the classroom.

Johnson’s passion for biology is just as deep as his love for coaching. He became interested in biology  in high school, especially after dissecting a cat, which he described as a pivotal moment. 

"That was when biology became so much fun for me," Johnson recalled.

Of all the topics he teaches, Johnson said evolution is his favorite: "It’s such an interesting subject, and you can connect it to so many real-life scenarios. My goal is to engage students by making the material relevant to their own lives, and showing them how biology impacts their world.”

What often surprises him in the classroom is when students ask insightful questions or share real-world knowledge. 

"Sometimes, students ask questions I don’t have an answer to," he laughed. “But I'm especially impressed when students bring their own experiences into class, showing how they relate to the subjects being taught.”

Johnson believes that teaching and coaching are deeply connected. Both require organization and, most importantly, genuine care for students and athletes. 

"You’re not going to get the best out of a student or athlete unless you show you care," he said. ”There’s a big difference between talking at a student and talking to a student."

When it comes to the lasting impact of his classes and coaching, Johnson said he hopes that students and athletes take away not just knowledge, but skills they can apply throughout their lives. Johnson’s dedication is evident in everything he does. 

"It’s all pretty simple,” Johnson said. “Whether it’s coaching or teaching, competing or learning, if you try really hard, you can succeed."