Students say farewell to Lincoln Elementary teacher

Brent McCown/Tribune Lincoln Elementary first grade teacher Becky Johnston gets hugs from third-graders Diana Pinela (left) and Marianna Hernandez at the end of their lunch time Wednesday. Johnston is retiring at the end of this school year.

Charis Ubben
cubben@hastingstribune.com
Forget about a honeymoon. When Roy and Becky Johnston were married 45 years ago near Kearney, she started her first teaching job with Kearney Public Schools the very next day.
“We came back to Kearney (after the wedding) and we had about $5 between us, and so we just went and bought some Oreo cookies and a half gallon of milk, and washed the junk off the car,” Roy said. “Thank God that they’ve made Oreo cookies for the 45 years since, so we’ve always celebrated with Oreo cookies.”
Because her wedding anniversary is so closely linked to her first day of school every year, Becky has invited her coworkers to celebrate with her in the same way.
“I’ve always brought Oreos to the school, too, for the teachers and the staff,” she said. “Just to help us celebrate our anniversary. It’s been a fun little thing to do.”
Johnston has taught for KPS, the YWCA of Adams County, St. Michael’s Elementary School and, for the last 23 years, Lincoln Elementary. She’s had first grade, one of her favorites, for 20 years now.