One Renton High School teacher teaches by example.

“If you want to change kids’ behavior and lives, you have to have a relationship with them,” said Susan Johnson. “You model the qualities you want your kids to have.”

Johnson, who teaches video production and visual communications, was named Teacher of the Year by the Washington Association for Career and Technical Education for her community service.

However, don’t expect her to mention it.

She stepped down from a career in private education to pursue a different student demographic.

“The kids were so privileged,” she said. “I wanted to get into the trenches.”

She’s among several teachers at Renton High who are changing the student- body culture to value education.

A model of community service, she takes on video and design projects for non-profits in the city.

Students join her work, occasionally submitting videos and invitation designs for a grade.

“We act like a little mini-production house here,” she said.

She’s helped with Film Frenzy, CurveCard promotions, the Chamber of Commerce and teachers earning national board certification.

“How do you keep track of the things she does?” said Jay Leviton, director of Career and Life Skills Education. “She supports kids in every aspect of their education.”

Renton High’s heavy student turnover makes building community with students more crucial to their interest in school.

“We have a very transitory population,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of poor kids.”

Johnson’s classroom buzzes with students an hour after school is out.

“It’s crazy,” she said. “It’s like this all the time.”

Her biggest challenge is making sure the quietest of students don’t get lost in the background, she said.

In a graphic-design class the short-statured teacher jumps from student to student for an hour. She stands on a chair to address the classroom and review the day’s work.

“Teachers burn out. It takes an incredible amount of energy,” she said.

She’s a leader among her co-workers, mentoring new staff members, Leviton said. “Susan is a role model.”

School yearbooks from about 100 years line her office walls. Old cameras decorate classroom cabinets, and bright student posters are scattered along a wall.

“She has very high standards,” Leviton said. “She believes all students can learn and everyone has the right to learn.”

Her classes teach marketable skills. She’s had some students get work for simple photo retouching.

Students are also challenged to speak well and to be kind.

“She’s fair, firm and consistent,” Leviton said.

A pet peeve is the phrase “shut up,” because it’s rude, she said. However, she also corrects proper English.

When a student said, “I don’t got no headphones.”

Johnson responded, “No, you don’t have any headphones.”

She sees herself as a grandmother figure, she said. “I think because I’m older, I can get away with a lot more.”

She’s one of the first people in the building and one of the last to leave, Leviton said.

“I’m always finding better ways to learn to become a better teacher,” Johnson said. “I feel like I make a difference.”