Math teacher and Co-Director of Student Life, Mike Johnson–known for his booming “Make it a great day, Auks!” throughout Archmere’s hallways for the past 17 years–lived a life of committed service.
“I can’t fix all the problems in the world, I’m just one person, but I do whatever little things I can do to chip away to make the world a better place, and if tons of people do that, that is what makes real change happen,” Johnson shared in an interview conducted with him in 2022.
Johnson’s philosophy, ebullient personality, and tireless work ethic made Archmere a better place on a daily basis, evidenced in the hallways, in the classroom, and in the countless student activities he organized.
Johnson, 40, lost his valiant battle with colon cancer on August 5th, just days after he had been at school meeting incoming students and planning curriculum and student activities for the upcoming year.
Johnson’s life of service began in high school at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School with a service trip to the Eastern shores of Massachusetts working with the Benedictine sisters. He then went on three similar trips while studying at Villanova University: a service trip to Nicaragua, a Habitat for Humanity trip to North Carolina, and a mission trip near the U.S.-Mexico border.
A deeply faithful man, Johnson believed that service is not just something to participate in but rather one of “our requirements as Christians.” Johnson felt lucky to be at Archmere and explained that he had a “responsibility to pay that forward and do things for other people, and particularly for those who have less than us or have needs that we can address.”
This love of service and care for others inspired Johnson to leave a career in the financial world in 2007 to become a teacher at Archmere, where he involved himself in campus ministry. His service trips at Villanova spurred him to bring similar service opportunities to Archmere, where he initially served as Campus Minister and then subsequently as a math teacher, a student council moderator, and, in his last year at Archmere, Co-Director of Student Life & Culture.
Johnson expressed pride in working at Archmere because of the school’s commitment to cultivating empathetic leaders, helping to inspire servant leaders in each of his students. As Campus Minister, Johnson connected with Habitat for Humanity in Avery County, North Carolina, and led students in service trips there for seven years. In addition, Johnson’s commitment to the Kairos program established the retreat as a rite-of-passage for hundreds of Archmere students, providing an opportunity to deepen their own spirituality while forging bonds with peers and faculty.
Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem, who himself has attended all 63 Archmere Kairos retreats, considers himself blessed to have shared Kairos with Johnson and honors Johnson for embodying God’s friendship.
“Mike Johnson’s last Kairos speech was entitled ‘God’s Friendship.’ Mike said that God’s friendship is part mystery, part freedom, part gift. During Mike’s six years as campus minister, I experienced God’s friendship each day through Mike, and especially on Kairos retreats. The word ‘Kairos’ means ‘God’s Time,’ and my years at Archmere with Mike were truly ‘God’s Time,’” McLaughlin reflected.
Johnson believed that teaching was a powerful act of service. “The very nature of what I do as a job can push people to do service,” he shared in the past, and he hoped to push his students to excel and to serve as well.
Over his seventeen years at Archmere, Johnson taught nearly 1300 students in almost every class offered by the Math department: Algebra I and Honors Algebra I, Algebra II/Trigonometry and Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry, Calculus and Honors Calculus, Statistics, Honors Math Analysis, and most recently, AP Statistics, which he was instrumental in establishing at Archmere.
Alex Starnes ‘23 is thankful for Johnson’s expertise in the classroom. “As an engineering major, I am so grateful for [AP Statistics]. Because of how well Mr. Johnson taught and prepped us for that AP test, I never had to take a stat class again, ” Starnes shared in a recent reflection.
Johnson’s students are quick to assert that his unique gifts in the classroom extended beyond his mastery of the material. Former students recognize that his ability to connect with students gave them confidence and nurtured a positive, optimistic classroom environment.
“Mr. Johnson brought a tangible enthusiasm and positivity to each and every class. He was never without a smile on his face, and even if you were having a difficult day, he succeeded in putting a smile on your face too,” said Elizabeth Maher ‘24 who had Johnson for Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry. “I am so grateful to have witnessed Mr. Johnson doing what he loved most–teaching and bettering the Archmere community.”
Johnson’s coworkers remember Johnson’s positive energy. “You could hear him coming from a mile away and it instantly made your day happier,” counselor Francesca Pileggi said.
Math teacher Dan Pisani also noted Johnson’s ability to lift spirits as well as the example he set for the rest of his colleagues. “I couldn’t have asked for a better friend here at Archmere than Mike Johnson. His love for this job and this community was truly inspiring to me everyday,” Pisani said.
History teacher Kyle Bardeer is grateful for Johnson’s ability to promote individuality in the Archmere community. “What has stuck with me most about MJ is how authentically himself he always was. And his larger-than-life personality opened up space for everyone else to feel comfortable being their own authentic selves, too,” Bardeer said.
While Johnson’s contagious enthusiasm was synonymous with Archmere spirit, his energy extended beyond the campus. A lifelong Delco resident, Johnson was devoted to Villanova basketball, his beloved Philadelphia sports teams, and his adoring nieces and nephews. He met and married the love of his life, Kristen Mascitelli, a fellow teacher, in 2022 and their life revolved around their Delco roots and large families, spending time “down the shore” in Sea Isle, NJ, and attending Archmere StuCo events at which Johnson was ever-present.
Archmere will continue to honor Johnson’s memory. Abby Im ‘25 has had Johnson at the forefront of her work both as Student Council President and co-captain of the girls volleyball team this year. The team’s warm up jerseys sported “Make it a Great Day” on the back, and the team hosted a “Blue Out” night, raising over $1000 for colon cancer research.
Johnson’s commitment to student leadership development was on Im’s mind at her Student Council installation.
“Mr. Johnson always made sure that we were all achieving our full potential inside and outside of the classroom. I am grateful to have grown so close with Mr. Johnson over my time at Archmere. He has taught me so much about leadership, and I am inspired by him daily for all that he has done for myself and the Archmere community,” said Im after her installation this fall, an event traditionally organized by Johnson.
Over the years Johnson expressed gratitude to his colleagues, family, and friends, believing “the people I have met have really inspired me to recognize that I have a lot to give and that I should be giving it.” However, it is the Archmere community that will be forever grateful for Johnson’s life and legacy that reminds us that we must all, in Johnson’s signature phrase, “go and make it a great day.”
