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A recent summa cum laude graduate of �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý), Avary Johnson’s foray into the field of education began at a young age.

While still in high school she completed �鶹��ý’s 12-unit Early Childhood Teacher Assistant Pathway and earned a Certificate of Proficiency. 

Thanks to her Advanced Placement, dual, and concurrent enrollment credits, Avary entered �鶹��ý as a second-year college student immediately after graduating high school. 

At just 18, she graduated from �鶹��ý with two Associate of Arts degrees – in liberal studies and social behavioral science – and is now set to transfer to UC Los Angeles (UCLA) with a major in education and social transformation. 

A third generation Bruin, Avary has had her sights on UCLA since childhood. "When I enrolled at �鶹��ý it was with the goal to transfer to UCLA. Ultimately, I was able to transfer through the UCLA Transfer Alliance program (TAP).” 

Avary’s unwavering focus on becoming an elementary teacher began at Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, where she was inspired by her 5th grade teacher, Kelly Morgan, who has since played a pivotal role in Avary’s academic journey. “I started helping out at Peters Canyon in middle school and began regularly volunteering for Mrs. Morgan my sophomore year of high school,” she says. “Volunteering as a teacher’s aide solidified my choice of teaching as my profession.”  

Another significant mentor has been �鶹��ý Professor Shelby Clatterbuck, who says Avary is already making a significant impact – at �鶹��ý and beyond. “Since arriving at �鶹��ý, Avary has contributed meaningfully to the successful launch of �鶹��ý’s Teacher Preparation Pathway (TPP), serving as the student voice on �鶹��ý’s TPP Workgroup – which included two deans, counselors, faculty, school district and Department of Education partners and a consultant.” 

Additionally, Avary reestablished �鶹��ý’s Future Educators Club, and served as its president. “She built a strong leadership board and led the club through an incredibly successful year,” says Professor Clatterbuck. 

“My goal was to reignite the club and use it as a tool to get students interested in the TPP Pathway,” Avary says. “When I came to �鶹��ý, I started the club from scratch and was able to build a successful blueprint, recruiting over 50 members.” 

Active in engaging membership on many levels, Avary helped bring in university reps to discuss education programs; organized an employer panel for current job opportunities; held various field trips and helped host several educator events featuring veteran teachers, new teachers and a school principal. 

Her hard work paid off. Under Avary’s leadership, �鶹��ý’s former Future educators Club became an official chapter of the California Teacher’s Association’s Aspiring Educators (CTA-AE),ensuring state and national CTA-AE membership for individual club members. At this spring’s CTA-AE conference, �鶹��ý won four out of six awards – including the Most Notable Chapter Event, for a book drive Avary spearheaded which collected over 1,000 books for LA County fire victims. Additionally, the club garnered awards for Newly Recognized Chapter of the Year and Chapter Advisor of the Year (Shelby Clatterbuck) and Outstanding Chapter of the Year for “empowering students and empowering change.” 

And, after just one year in existence, out of the 60 clubs at �鶹��ý, the newly renamed Aspiring Educators Club was recognized by �鶹��ý’s Inter-Club Council as “Club of the Year” for 2024-25. 

“We are incredibly proud of Avary,” Professor Clatterbuck says. “We know she’s going to do great things!” 

As she prepares to enter UCLA this Sept., Avary continues to learn and grow – gaining inspiration from the students in Mrs. Morgan’s classroom with whom she still works each week. “I love being in the classroom and forming immediate connections with students. I can only imagine the impact I would have if I were with them every day.” 

That dream may soon become reality. Her ultimate goal? “To become an elementary school teacher in Orange County. I would love even to secure a teaching position at Peters Canyon – the school where I have practiced teaching and learned and studied myself.”