FLEMING ISLAND — Soon, Thunderbolt Elementary School’s Tracy Johnston could be strolling along the blue shores and sandy beaches of Hawaii and basking with some extra cash in her pocket.

The possibilities are endless.

As a current quarter-finalist in a competition to determine “America’s Favorite Teacher,” Johnston said the anticipation is nonetheless exciting. 

The nationwide search and fundraiser, which Colossal Impact sponsors, aims to find the country’s best ‘unsung heroes’. Multiple rounds of voting will determine one winner receiving $25,000 and a feature with Reader’s Digest magazine.

Additionally, the teacher’s school will receive a virtual assembly with The Planetary Society CEO and television personality Bill Nye. 

Established just last year, the competition has already raised over $2 million for The Planetary Society, the world’s largest nonprofit space organization. 

Last year’s first-ever champion was Arizona teacher Kelby Milgrim. Johnston hopes to follow in his footsteps.

With an extensive teaching career under her belt and as a second grade educator, Johnston said it was her mother and two siblings that inspired her to enter the world of schooling. 

It gives her a sense of purpose and success. 

“It is really fun when you see something that you’ve taught and they get it. Or, they're using it,” she said. "I think it really makes it all worth it."

It isn’t ironic that the competition celebrates teachers making a difference in their students’ lives, unlocking the fullest of their potential.

In fact, unlocking the potential of her students is something in which Johnston said she prides herself. 

It has been eight years since she spearheaded the school’s own “Plantopia” garden, a shared space of learning and creativity.

Almost every day, students enter the garden with a mind to explore. Johnston said her classes practice growing their own plants, fruits and vegetables. Radishes, onions, tomatoes, bananas, apples, pineapples, celery, peas — you name it.

Johnston said the garden has it. 

She said it all started when the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom organization had a training session in Hollywood, Florida, which she and her husband attended. The school's literacy theme for that year also happened to be planting. 

“Once I went to two days of this training, I was hooked,” she said. “I was like, 'Wow.' I talked to the principal and said, ‘Hey, I would like to do a school garden.’” 

As someone with an acquired green thumb, Johnston said it was important to pass this on to her students. 

“I wish that gardening could be a resource for everybody, because those are skills that could save your life,” Johnston said. 

Providing them with "tasting journals," Johnston said the student’s even get to try their creations, sometimes for the first time. 

“When kids grow crops, they’re more willing to try them,” Johnston said. 

From local agriculture experts coming to speak with the students to teaching lessons of responsibility in and out of the classroom, Johnston said students have not only learned the importance of incorporating fruits and vegetables into their daily habits but have become more invested in the school’s campus. 

She said a lot of her students have even become gardeners themselves. 

“They go home and they're begging,” she said. “And the parents are like, ‘How are you getting my kid to eat celery?’” she said. 

What started as her own venture has now expanded throughout the entire school. She said that along with fifth grade, the school’s ESE classes have also recently begun using the serene garden. 

For the future, the school hopes to expand it even more, not only adding more fruits and veggies but also trees. Through Project Learning Tree, an environmental education program, she said the school aims to advance forest and nature literacy. Johnston said a teacher from every grade meets to discuss goals and lessons to keep students active and appreciative of nature.  

She said there are some trees already being planted ahead of Arbor Day. With the help of grants and local donations, the garden is ever growing. 

“Sometimes I’m like ‘How did I get into this?’” she said. “But it is really fun.” 

If you would like to vote for Johnston, visit https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/tracy-johnston.