Clyde Johnson started his career as a coal miner with only a high school diploma. The days were long, tough and filled with toil—and he spent them wanting a better life and a way to make a mark on the world.
He saw that education was the path to that better life. He returned to school and earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from West Virginia University. Dr. Johnson taught biology and physiology for decades at Southern University, where he noticed that many students arrived on campus lacking the fundamental skills needed to succeed in higher education.
So—upon his retirement from Southern—Dr. Johnson began looking for a way to make an impact on the community through education. In 2004, he began working with Volunteers in Public Schools, where he was inspired by the organization’s one-on-one tutoring and mentorship model. More than just a volunteer, Dr. Johnson stepped up to help students who are struggling to read. As a result, VIPS adopted the Ready4K! program, which sends helpful text messages to parents of 4-year-olds with tips on how to incorporate reading in family time.
Dr. Johnson passed away in May 2018. Until his death, he continued to serve in the belief that a quality education releases a child’s greatest potential. After all, it did for him.