Her courses are designed to support students at a variety of levels, beginning with foundational concepts and building toward more complex ideas through structured, scaffolded learning and frequent opportunities for practice and feedback.

She also focuses on helping students connect course material to their own lives, making complex scientific concepts accessible and relevant.

“Of course, neuroscience can be complicated and nuanced, but there is still a simplicity that we can identify, that students can become comfortable with, and then we expand on that.” Johnson said. “I try to connect it to their real-world experiences because we become more invested in learning the science when we understand how it functions within us and the people around us.”

For Johnson, the goal extends beyond content mastery.

“The real skill is learning how to think about the discipline and how to learn more,” she said. “By the end of my class, I want students to know enough about the nervous system and the scientific approach to be able to dig deeper, identify reliable information, and continue building on what they’ve learned.”

Students say that approach makes a lasting difference.

“She is a great teacher and very funny — the perfect balance of keeping the class interesting while making sure we learn what we need to,” one student wrote in a course evaluation.

Another student described the course as “one of my favorite classes I have taken at FSU,” noting that it sparked a deeper interest in neuroscience.

The Distinguished Teacher Award is one of the highest honors given to faculty at Florida State. Recipients must be past winners of a University Teaching Award and demonstrate continued excellence in teaching over time.

Johnson, along with FSU’s two Robert O. Lawton Professors, will be recognized at the Faculty Awards Celebration on April 21.

Other 2026 Faculty Award winners:

Outstanding Undergraduate Advising Award

Mikayla Blue, Division of Undergraduate Studies and College of Fine Arts Laura Damren, Chapman Center for Academic Advising & Student Success Sue Jung, Department of Computer Science Bret Keating, Division of Undergraduate Studies

Honors Thesis Mentor Award

Andrew Ballard, Department of Political Science Tarez Graban, Department of English Elizabeth Hammock, Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience

Undergraduate Research Mentor Award

Jizhe Cai, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Outstanding Teaching in the Major

Whitney Bendeck, International Affairs Sharanya Jayaraman, Department of Computer Science Angie Kovarik, Rockwood School of Marketing Jorge Piekarewicz, Department of Physics Spencer Pierce, Department of Accounting Ebrahim Randeree, College of Communication & Information Kamal Tawfiq, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sana Tibi, School of Communication Science and Disorders Leslie Wooten, College of Nursing

Foundational Course Excellence Award

Kimberly Davidson, College of Criminology & Criminal Justice Kenneth Hanson, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Kevin Little, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry David McNutt, Department of Biological Science

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award

Simona Andrei, Department of Economics Malbor Asllani, Department of Mathematics Pedro Fernandez-Caban, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Jaejin Lee, School of Communication Rachel Lumsden, College of Music Elizabeth Ray, School of Communication Aaron Thomas, School of Theatre Henry Wang, College of Law Joseph Watso, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Science

Student-Centered Teaching and Mentoring Award

Carrie Danielson, College of Music Mia Liza Lustria, School of Information Elizabeth Madden, School of Communication Science and Disorders Allison McHugh, College of Nursing Hui Wang, Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering

Innovation in Teaching Award

Kyle Hodgen, College of Applied Sciences Meghan Mick, Department of Interior Architecture & Design

Excellence in Online Teaching Award

April Powell, School of Communication Science and Disorders

Community Engaged Teaching Award

Erica Cuffy, College of Social Work

Community Engaged Research Partnership Award

Ming Cui, Department of Human Development and Family Science Ayesha Khurshid, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Jayur Mehta, Department of Anthropology Alysia Roehrig, Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems Stephanie Zuilkowski, Learning Systems Institute

Graduate Faculty Mentor Award

Ebrahim Ahmadisharaf, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Andrea De Giorgi, Department of Classics Kenneth Hanson, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Zhe He, School of Information Yan-Yan Hu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Jon Maner, Department of Psychology

Developing Scholar Award

David Braithwaite, Department of Psychology Ravinder Nagpal, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences Joel Smith, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Qian Yin, Department of Biological Science

Distinguished University Scholar Award

Deloise Lima, College of Music

Distinguished Research Professor Award

Vladimir Dobrosavljevic, Department of Physics Hui Li, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Jon Maner, Department of Psychology Michael Shatruk, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Developing Specialized Faculty Award

Casey Sammarco, School of Theatre