Hunter Johnson earned both his BA in History (2021) and his MSEd in Secondary Education (2022) from the University of North Alabama. Originally from Decatur, Alabama, Johnson’s path to UNA was shaped by family connections and a transformative campus visit guided by Dr. Bibbee. The beauty of Florence’s campus, paired with the faculty’s personal touch, made a lasting impression, leading Hunter to enroll in the history program.
During his undergraduate years, Hunter thrived under the mentorship of professors like Dr. Quiros and Dr. Schoenbachler, who helped him refine his writing and research skills. His passion for content mastery led him to pursue a history degree first before transitioning into education, emphasizing a content-first approach in teaching.
After earning his bachelor’s, Johnson continued to UNA’s master’s program in secondary education while teaching full-time under an emergency teaching certificate. Balancing both was challenging, but the accelerated nature of UNA’s program allowed him to finish in under a year. He now teaches high school history in Birmingham, Alabama, where he brings storytelling, primary source research, and empathy into his daily teaching style—values inspired by his time at UNA.
““UNA shaped my teaching by emphasizing empathy, research skills, and storytelling in the classroom,” he says.
Johnson credits UNA’s faculty not just for their expertise but for their compassion. A defining moment came when Dr. Quiros reassured her students during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing personal well-being alongside academics. This spirit of care continues to influence Hunter’s classroom approach, making UNA’s impact on his career profound and lasting.