Illinois Valley Community College’s very own LeeAnn Johnson is retiring after thirty-three years of teaching. 

Johnson, who has been affiliated with IVCC since she was three years old, attended the college’s daycare while her mother taught as a dental assistant instructor. 

As a student at IVCC, Johnson was actively involved on campus and worked as a student worker. 

In August 1992, Johnson began her teaching career at IVCC, instructing general biology. In addition to teaching, she maintained a busy schedule as a laboratory instructor for anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. 

Over the past thirty-three years, Johnson has created many memories, sharing that her most meaningful experience has been “forming relationships with students” and her involvement with the raptor rehabilitation program. 

As a laboratory instructor, Johnson worked closely with students individually and in small groups.  

Johnson explained that this allowed her to get to know her students on a personal level. 

Throughout her career, Johnson said she discovered that she “gets her energy from helping students and seeing students succeed.” 

During her first year of teaching, Johnson trained in the raptor’s rehabilitation program under Lou Borio.  

When Borio retired, Johnson looked after an owl named Charlie, becoming the first laboratory instructor to do so.  

Johnson described her work with birds of prey as one of the most memorable aspects of her career. 

 After IVCC, Johnson plans to continue her involvement in raptor rehabilitation. She also looks forward to spending time with family and friends, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors. 

Susan Caley, Johnson’s colleague of thirty-one years, said Johnson’s retirement will be a huge loss for both students and staff members. 

IVCC’S President Tracy Morris shared, “IVCC has been a part of LeeAnn Johnson’s entire life, and I know that thousands of students have benefited from her amazing dedication and love for the field of biology. I have admired her work with raptor rehabilitation, the Red Cross Club, and her commitment to making the biology lab the best possible experience for our students and faculty”. 

Caley added that Johnson “has been a huge help”, offering tutoring for students and staying after class to provide additional help.  

Caley explained that Johnson “is concerned about students all the time, as if they are her own children.” 

The pair initially met during Caley’s orientation tour of IVCC, which was given by Johnson when Caley was first hired. 

After thirty-three years, Johnson considers teaching to be one of the “best” careers, describing herself as “blessed” to have worked with the students and colleagues she did, and that she will greatly miss being part of the IVCC community.