Mr. Mikquan Johnson is the teacher for TV Media Production, but he is also, as of now, is the school’s newest teacher. 2025 will be his first year teaching at West Potomac High School, but also in general. He says he “used to work at a YMCA and some summer camps, but that wasn’t really teaching”.
As a longtime resident of the DMV, born in Arlington, he grew up here, has family that still lives here, and likes the type of kids from this area, so he chose West Potomac to be able to “help them achieve whatever their dreams are, whether in film-making or life in general”. For as long as he can remember, he has always wanted to teach. Before he knew being a film teacher was an option, he wanted to become an English teacher, and ended up switching his major from teaching to film-making in college.
In regards to college, he took an “unconventional route” to get where he is today. Originally starting at the Art Institute in Virginia, he transferred to a school in Kentucky, and then took a few semesters of classes at NOVA, before going to Old Dominion University, where he finally graduated. “It was different”, he acknowledges.
His favorite thing about students is “teaching them how to tell stories visually and teaching them how to become better filmmakers… I like them to get hands-on experience with the equipment, it allows them to problem-solve and troubleshoot any issues.” His main motivation to come to school is the students themselves. “Getting to know the kids, work with them better on certain projects, that’s what really motivates me to get up and come here every day.”
His passion for film-making started at a young age as well. He cites his mom and grandma as his main inspirations in life. His mom, who raised him and his younger brother all on her own, was very supportive of his interests and got him his first video camera, and his grandma’s home videos were what inspired him to start filming things.
His hobbies are photography, illustration, building stuff, cooking, and coaching football and basketball. When he’s not at school, he can also be found spending time with his family, especially coaching his son’s basketball team, or with his two-year-old Shi Tzu named Scar that he loves dearly despite his mischief. You may also have a chance to find him watching his favorite movie, “Forrest Gump”.
When asked to give a piece of advice to all students he currently taught, he said “Follow your dreams and never give up on whatever it is that you want to do or achieve in life”.
Everyone welcome Mr. Johnson to West Potomac High School!
