When Nate Harmon was in middle school, he experienced ThinkGive in his English class. Five years later, he joined the ThinkGive Student Advisory Board. Mitzi Johnson is a teacher and a volunteer with ThinkGive.
Nate Harmon: When and how did you become involved with ThinkGive?
Mitzi Johnson: Back in 2020, my extended family was looking for a way to give back to the community—something meaningful that didn’t involve giving material things, especially since so many people were struggling at the time. I wanted to support a local organization that aligned with my values, particularly something education-based, since I’m a teacher.
I decided to make an annual donation to ThinkGive as a gift to my family in their names. From there, it snowballed. I was invited to join the strategic planning committee and then the curriculum development committee. Now, I serve on the advisory board.
Nate Harmon: Which ThinkGive values do you resonate with the most?
Mitzi Johnson: The core values are incredibly important—especially right now. We’re living in a time when kindness isn’t always the norm, and it’s so important for kids to feel that kindness building within them. The earlier children learn to be kind and understand one another—instead of fearing differences—the better.
Nate Harmon: How has ThinkGive changed your approach as a teacher?
Mitzi Johnson: I have become more forgiving. I try to understand the perspective of parents more. Their experience with their kids at home is different from what I experienced, so I’m trying to be more aware of their situations. What are they bringing to school with them from home? I try to be more sympathetic to everybody and where they are coming from.
