Geary Retired Teacher Named Citizen of the Year
Launch the media gallery 1 playerLongtime Geary High School teacher, Cozetta Johnson, received the honor of "Citizen of the Year" and Grand Marshal for this year's Geary Fair parade. Ms. Johnson taught Math in the Geary Public Schools for 33 years before retiring from teaching. Below is her biography which was read during the parade.
"Riding in this year’s parade as Citizen of the Year and Grand Marshal is a true hometown legend, Cozetta Johnson!
Born and raised right here in Geary, Cozetta graduated from Geary High School before earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from SWOSU. She dedicated 33 incredible years to shaping young minds in the Geary School District, where she also poured her time into being a class sponsor, cheer sponsor, BETA Club sponsor, and guiding students through Bison Academy. Her commitment to education didn't stop in the classroom—she has also taught as an adjunct teacher at El Reno Junior College and served as a summer school advisor at SWOSU. She also served in the Air Force Reserve.
Beyond education, Cozetta has served her community through the Geary City Council, alongside work at local mainstays like Walmart, Jack Frost's secretary on the Board of the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, Southside Convenience Store, the Cherokee Trading Post, and Family Dollar. A faithful member of the Geary First United Methodist Church, she serves as a Lay Speaker, Lay Delegate, and Recording Secretary; and gives her time to the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Wesley Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Conference.
When she isn’t volunteering, working, or serving her community, her absolute greatest joy is spending time traveling the world and cherishing moments with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Cozetta has helped shape so many of us in this community, whether it’s from the classroom, through school activities, or simply by seeing us out in public and taking the time to ask how we were doing. She has never really stopped teaching, and she has never stopped caring about her students. Once you were one of Cozetta’s kids, you were always one of Cozetta’s kids."
Congratulations to Cozetta Johnson, Citizen of the Year.