Kathleen Johnson

Associate Faculty
Email: kjohnson87@saddleback.edu
Phone: 949-582-4900 x 3600

M.A., California State University at Fullerton, CA, 2006
B.A., California State University at Fullerton, CA, 2003

Kathy Johnson joined Saddleback College in September of 2006. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Sociology from California State University at Fullerton.

Kathy is currently the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for an Aerospace Fastener Manufacturer, and has more than twenty five years of management experience in various industries.

In her spare? time, Kathy enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her two daughters, Jennifer 29, and Kimberly 27, and her three grandchildren, Daniel 1, Jesse 3, and Kyleigh 6.

Philosophy of Teaching
I believe that instructors should develop a learning environment that is relevant to, and reflective of their students’ social and cultural experiences. They should act as guides, mediators, consultants, instructors, and advocates for the students, helping to effectively connect their culture and community to the classroom learning experience. I encourage my students to write about and share their own family traditions and culture, and incorporate student lead discussion groups into the classroom experience.

Instruction and learning today needs to take place in an environment that encourages multicultural viewpoints and allows for inclusion of knowledge that is relevant to the individual student. As a sociologist, I understand there is more than one way to interpret a statement, event or social phenomenon. I encourage my students to learn in different ways, and share different viewpoints and perspectives based upon their own cultural and social experiences. In this way students are empowered and become active participants in their own learning.

I operationalize learning by utilizing technology in the classroom. You Tube, the internet and on-line exercises are part of my curriculum. I also incorporate issues and topics that are related to the students’ backgrounds and culture, and challenge the students to develop higher-order knowledge and skills. I utlilize resources other than textbooks for study, as I frequently bring newspaper and magazine articles to class to promote alternative viewpoints.

Teaching Experience
Social Problems
Introduction to Sociology
Social Psychology

Scholastic Interests
gender studies
women's studies
aging in society
death and dying
family violence