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Top Blogs

• Clearing the air

• Lodi Unified appoints Casanega interim superintendent

• Police: Lodi man runs over stop sign, crashes into cars on his way to renew driver's license

• Lockeford park, schoolhouse: What's the best use for them?

• Galt council backs mandate for sprinklers

• Regional Roundup

• Family suffers second fire in six months, this one fatal

• Ammer Johnson, teacher at Lockeford School, honored as a Classroom Hero

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

• Chase ends in crash

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

November 17th, 2009

• Clarification

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• Regional Roundup

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• Burglary suspects are under arrest

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (146)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (63)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (54)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (46)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Nightmares about America's future (22)
• Tokay Tigers blow late 27-point lead in loss to Wolf Pack (22)

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Ammer Johnson, teacher at Lockeford School, honored as a Classroom Hero

On Dec. 9, the Lodi News-Sentinel honored Ammer Johnson as a Classroom Hero at a ceremony held at Hutchins Street Square before the concert given by the Lodi Community Band.

The Learning Link Program of the Lodi News-Sentinel had invited both adults and children to send in letters about a teacher who is very special to them, and the administrative staff of the News-Sentinel selected the most heartwarming and inspirational letters. Jazmin King nominated her fifth-grade teacher, Ammer Johnson, of Lockeford School.

She wrote: "Mr. Johnson is my hero teacher. He helped me a lot when I had trouble with math. He made a math intervention class to help kids like me. He has also been like a dad, which I never had, for me and my friend Marisa. He is always there to make me laugh. I've had a good time in his class and I've raised my grades in all subjects, especially math. I'm, so glad Mr. Johnson is there for me."

Jazmin's grandmother, Betty Wahl, included a note with Jazmin's nomination. She wrote: "I too consider Mr. Johnson a hero as he has rescued Jazmin (and many others) from failure, maybe even a lifetime of failure. Last school year she was constantly struggling with her schoolwork even to the point of physical illness and she was absent from school many times. I was a witness to this hopeless and sad situation. Then this year — and Mr. Johnson! It's like a miracle, a complete turnaround. Jazmin has improved in all academics, loves to read now and willingly attends the math intervention class held by Mr. Johnson early in the morning before school starts. If she can't finish her homework at night, she sets her alarm and gets up extra early to finish it. She never wants to miss school and her tummy aches and headaches have ceased. Mr. Johnson of Lockeford School was to retire last year but I'm so glad he didn't. If anyone deserves this award it is Mr. Johnson. Only God knows how many lives have been improved because of this special, incredible teacher."

Johnson was born and spent his early years in Little Rock, Ark., where he graduated from the Philander Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. He had planned on becoming a sociologist but soon found that, due to segregation policies in the South at that time, this field was not open to him.

When he was unable to find work in his chosen field, he took a temporary position as a substitute sixthgrade teacher in Sweet Home, Ark. It was then that he realized that teaching was his "calling."

He continued his education at the University of Arkansas, where he received his master's degree in Educational Administration.

His first full-time teaching assignment was with the Little Rock School District at Gibes Elementary School. It was the same school he had attended as a child.

Mr. Johnson is married and the father of four children. The family moved to this area in 1980, when he was hired by the Lodi Unified School District and assigned to Lockeford Elementary School.

Johnson said, "When I start my day at 5:30 a.m. I can hardly wait until I can get to school to start working with the children. But first, I feel it's important that I spend 30 minutes or more reading the Bible, in prayer and meditating so that I can always be positive. I get to school at 7:15 for a full day of teaching. At 7:30 a.m. I teach a math intervention class and I have a Homework Club after school from 2:45 to 3:45, Monday through Thursday. I teach sixth-grade multiple subjects with the exception of P.E. and music. I never tire of being a teacher. My goal is to work a few more years until I will have taught for fifty years."

This outstanding teacher has received five awards as listed by the Who's Who Among America's Teachers. He has been nominated two times as the Disney Educator of the Year and Lockeford and Clements honored him as "Citizen of the Year 2001."

He also served his country for 11 years, with the U.S. Marine Corps 6th Rifle Company in Little Rock, Ark.