Justin M. Johnson is entering his ninth year as director of bands at Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois, where he oversees all aspects of the band program. He received his Bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Memphis and his Master’s degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University. Johnson also has served on staff for a number of nationally recognized ensembles, including the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (for over a decade) and the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band (2013-2015 and 2018). He has adjudicated and given clinics for concert ensembles, marching bands, indoor drumlines, winter guards, and jazz ensembles across the United States. Johnson prides himself on creating a classroom culture focused on student growth while creating an atmosphere that cultivates accountability, responsibility, and good will. His voice is valuable as a fresh perspective in education, and he continues seeking to teach values and lessons that reach beyond the band room. Johnson has always been a leader in demanding equitable practices, providing equal access to music, and creating systemic change to promote cultural diversity in music through various initiatives and commission projects. Johnson was named a finalist for the Golden Apple Award in 2016 and Teacher of Distinction . He received Niles West High School’s Zemsky Teacher of the Year in 2020 and has been named the 2021 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Johnson also is an active member of Illinois Music Education Association and the National Association for Music Education.