Sharice Johnson: Teach students to persevere

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High school students miss the way things used to be. They miss their friends, teachers, mentors, and what used to be normal for them, said Sharice Johnson, Program Coordinator and Facilitator of Character and Leadership Programs at Milton Hershey School.

“They learn how to persevere – that’s what I teach them,” Johnson said. “When they just vent about what they’re feeling, I help them reflect on the positive things. You’re still here. You’re safe. You still have us. You still have your mentors. That’s something we teach them to do. If you’re struggling, reach out to your mentors.”

With a new school year approaching and communities still reeling from the varied impacts of COVID-19, Johnson is leaning into her role as mentor and advocate for students more than ever.

“When students reach out to me, I remind them of the tools they learned at school and empower them to put them into action,” she said.

Johnson shared with CPBJ her insights gained from working through the pandemic. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

What does your job entail?

The most important role I have is being an active listener to our students and creating programming to meet their needs. Over my 14 years, I have facilitated a variety of programs like after=school fitness. I teach dance fitness, indoor cycling, and aerobic step. I have led a crocheting club to create baby blankets to donate to the Hershey Medical Center.

My ultimate favorite is the after-school girls program. This program is special because it provides a safe space for girls to invest in their well-being and learn how to be true to themselves.

In CPBJ’s Women of Influence program, you mentioned an all-girls conference that you hope to expand to Harrisburg in the future. Tell us more about that.

Due to the overwhelming interest in the Milton Hershey after-school girls program, I created the school’s first-ever all-girls conference called Girls Grace. This event is 12 hours of fun and empowerment for up to 200 high school girls. We offer a variety of workshops surrounding topics of respect for self, hair care management, body image, businesswomen leaders, finances, and just about any topic surrounding their positive development. I’m always looking for women business leaders to come teach the workshops.

What are you doing to prepare for the new school year?

I am preparing myself for the new normal in this residential education setting, just trying to adapt safe ways to educate and lead programming. Safety is our number one goal at the school. We want to make sure our students and staff are safe. I’m in the process of making sure everything I do is safe. I want to make sure I’m providing an open door policy for students to come and talk.

How do you think the pandemic has changed your approach to your job?

It reminds me that everything I’m doing is impactful. Everything that I’ve been doing is meaningful and I’m needed. It kind of brings it into perspective that you’re doing great work. You are a soundboard for these kids. You are someone consistent in their life during a time of uncertainty. It keeps me positive and makes me super excited to see them once the new school year approaches.

What have you learned from this experience?

I’ve learned to take care of myself. Self-care is super-important. If I’m not well, I can’t do for them, so I have to learn how to take more time for myself and appreciate things in life like spending time with my family and doing things I enjoy to recharge my batteries. This pandemic, although it has been a change, it’s been an eye-opener for everyone to self-reflect and think of what we can do better as people, and I found I need to do more self care. I need to be able to take care of myself so that I can take care of my students.

Editor’s note: Johnson was recently named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2020 Women of Influence honorees.