Former colleague remembers Mayor Brandon Johnson's days as a teacher
CHICAGO (CBS) – Busting moves and trying to sink baskets, that's the Brandon Johnson some people remember.
He spent about five years as an educator before moving on to a union job. CBS 2's Lauren Victory took a look at his time as a "Warrior."
At George Westinghouse College Prep, the assignment in civics class is to analyze equity across Chicago's neighborhoods. With famous leaders looking on, some students are studying up on Johnson.
It's not just because he'll make resource decisions as the city's leader, but because their room, No. 278, was Johnson's home years ago.
"Yeah this brings back such nostalgic memories, powerful memories, great memories," said W. Terrell Burgess, Westinghouse College Prep's principal.
CBS 2 got a peek at old photos of the city's new mayor, courtesy of Burgess, a friend and former co-worker.
Johnson hit these same hallways as a social studies teacher from 2010 to 2011. Burgess said it was a solid year of Westinghouse Warrior pride.
"He was the life of the party that day," Burgess said looking at the photos.
Victory: "Have you heard any funny stories from the staff members here about Brandon?"
We got no gossip from the students, just admiration for Johnson's career path after Westinghouse.
"If you aren't into politics, it still plays a role in your life so knowing that a teacher that used to teach here is now in that seat," said sophomore Daniel Brown. "It can give kids someone to look up to."
Senior Francisco Perez added, "I thought it was really cool to see a teacher rising up to a county commissioner and from there onto mayor."
Some students followed Johnson's campaign closely and volunteered when they weren't in class.
"It was really exciting to see that a candidate who represents a lot of people on the South and West Side rose up into the runoffs," said senior Ava Galban.
After Johnson snagged the win, Principal Burgess took the opportunity to talk about legacy at school assemblies.
"I was trying to paint this picture of how special Westinghouse is," he said.
It's a civic lesson in real life.
At least 80 students from Westinghouse will be at Johnson's inauguration on Monday morning. They hope he comes to visit his old stomping grounds soon.
Johnson also spent four years teaching at Jenner Academy.
