My name is Molly Johnston and on April 22, 2011, I married a wonderful man, and my best friend, Jason Johnston.

I am so excited to be working at such a wonderful charter school here at Manzanita! This is my fifth year of teaching, yet I am not new to the charter school world. I started my career five years ago, after receiving my credential and Bachelor’s from CSU Northridge, at a charter school in the San Fernando Valley teaching first grade. There, I fell in love with the way charter schools work and function, giving teachers the freedom to really “teach.” A few months ago I got the opportunity to work here at Manzanita and my husband and I decided to make a crazy (and quick) change in our lives, moving from the hustle and bustle of the city, to the relaxing countryside of Santa Maria. The move truly benefited both of us because we were both commuting over an hour to work! Now we each enjoy a much shorter commute and a much more relaxed environment to live in. I am so excited to work with everyone at Manzanita and to help every scholar in my classroom be the best that they can be! The motto in my classroom has been, and always will be, “Can we do it? Yes we can!”

In my spare time I love to enjoy the outdoors with my wonderful husband and little dog, Thunder. They are my two favorite boys! I also enjoy reading, the beach and exploring my new home! I have recently started taking spinning classes at a local studio and am planning on getting certified to become an instructor! It is one of the best workouts in the world! I also have a wonderful family whom I love spending time with. Both of my parents were teachers so it was kind of encoded in my genes to become a teacher!