Julie Johnson taught the lesson of optimism

Students, staff members, friends and members of the community turned out for a candlelight vigil and walk last week to honor Stillwater teacher Julie E. Johnson. Many wore T-shirts bearing phrases of encouragement just like the ones Johnson dispensed to the students she taught at Rutherford Elementary.

With slogans such as "Peace on," "Live on" and "Love on," the inspirational shirts are a common sight at the school, where Johnson was a popular teacher known for making each child feel as if he or she was the most important person in the room.

The shirts were created by Johnson and two fellow teachers after her breast cancer was diagnosed. The threesome founded a company called Onward Spirit (www.onwardspirit.com) and sold hundreds of shirts to help Johnson's family pay bills and to raise money for others in the community who face financial challenges. Twenty percent of the proceeds go to charity.

Julie Johnson died last Monday at her home in Stillwater. She was 48.

"You can be walking in Target and see an Onward Spirit shirt," said her daughter, Danielle, of Stillwater. "She inspired so many people. Mom meant so much to many people."

Johnson taught for the past six years at Rutherford, most recently kindergarten but also third grade. She was a "magical and bright person" who had a passion for kids and their learning, and instinctively knew the needs of each child and how to work with and inspire them, said Rutherford Principal Stephen Gorde.

Johnson was born in North St. Paul and graduated from high school there. She earned a degree in elementary education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a master's from St. Mary's University in Winona, Minn., her daughter said.

She was able to teach until February when she became too sick to work full time. Even then, she would send notes to her students and make short visits to the classroom. It was personal touches such as those that over the years prompted many parents to request that Johnson be their children's teacher, Danielle said.

In addition to her daughter, Johnson is survived by her husband of 24 years, Trace, and two sons, Alec and Eli, all of Stillwater; her father, James Edison Sr. of Oakdale; two sisters, Teri Remke of St. Paul and Geri Krey of White Bear Lake; four brothers, Tim Edison and Tom Edison, both of Stillwater, Jim Edison Jr., of Woodbury and Dan Edison, of Bayport.