Councilman Ceasor Johnson becomes GED teacher

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Come this fall, Lynchburg City Councilman Ceasor Johnson will fill two roles — elected public official and Campbell County teacher.

School division officials said Johnson’s experience working with at-risk students made him a good fit for the position, and his public office did not influence his hiring.

“The City Council business played no role, but his work with at-risk kids through ministry and work on his doctorate and what he’s demonstrated though substituting was very positive,” said John Erb, Campbell County Schools assistant superintendent for administration.

Johnson, who begins work in August, will serve as a GED teacher at the Fray Educational Center, the county’s alternative education site. He will assist students preparing to earn their GED. Most of the students’ work is done on computer, and Johnson will work with 10 to 20 students during the day.

“He’s really good with kids,” Erb said. “Kids figure out real quickly whether adults are genuine or not. He has a really good relationship with at-risk kids. He has been substituting at Fray for several years very effectively. It was just a natural thought when this position came open.”

Erb said candidates for the position must have a college degree, and typically, an endorsement in adult education is preferred. While Johnson does not have that particular endorsement, Erb said he is pursuing a doctorate. Johnson also will complete training as part of the requirements for the job.

Johnson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics from Alcorn State University, is currently pursuing a doctor of ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg. He said the degree “deals with at-risk kids in rural communities and how the African American church can affect them.”

In addition to serving on council and earning a doctorate, Johnson also has been a pastor at the Spring Hill Baptist Church for the past 13 years.

He said his time at the church and working as a substitute at Fray has allowed him to get to know students. His wife is a math teacher at Fray. His new role as GED teacher will allow him to make a greater contribution to education.

During his five years on City Council, Johnson has frequently been a proponent of education funding and a vocal supporter of the city schools. He sees his new job as another way to contribute to area education and be a presence in the lives of students.

“The heart of the matter is I feel I owe something back to my community. If you look majority of educational systems a lot of at-risk guys, especially African-American young men, are growing up without a father. The only male they see is at school,” Johnson said. “I like to be in the classroom so they have a positive role model.”