About Me

My name is Eric W Johnson. I am an instructor at the Northern Marianas College on the beautiful island of Saipan. I have a wife named Cherry and three wonderful children, Vianka, Willy and Lydin.

I have lived in Saipan since 1996 and teach Algebra and Statistics at the Northern Marianas College. My first three years in Saipan I taught Math and Special Education at Marianas High School.

I enjoy learning about and living within the different cultures of the Pacific. I have traveled and taught around the Pacific Islands for many years. Before I made Saipan my permanent home, I lived and volunteered my services to the schools of the outer islands of Yap. The traditional culture there is still well preserved. A family on the island of Mogmog adopted me as one of their sons and I have an open invitation to stay with them every time I go to that island. (See my Coconut Cross story.)

Before the outer islands of Yap, I spent two years teaching in Jakarta Indonesia at the Indonesian European University. That too was very interesting and an exciting culture to be a part of. Indonesia seemed to celebrated every known holiday around the world. That gave plenty of time for me to travel around the islands of Indonesia. The longer I lived in Indonesia, the more fluent I became in Bahasa Indonesia. This allowed me to travel to the more remote islands to learn and experience some of the numerous unique cultures of that country. (See my Sumba story.)

Before traveling overseas, I started my teaching career with two years at Aims Community College in Greeley Colorado. Not much more to say about that except, that's where I found out that I love to teach.

Also in Greeley Colorado I achieved a Bacholer's degree in Mathematics with an Emphasis in Applied Statistics and a Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Research Methods from the University of Northern Colorado. I worked many jobs while putting myself through college. These included: a student campus police officer, dish washer, tutor, and a Marine.

As I just mentioned, previous to the start of my college career I joined the Marine Corps Reserve. Actually, I had just turned 18 years old and was still in high school when I joined. I served in the Marine Corps for nine years. This nine years overlaps with some of the above. (See my Supply Wagon story.)

I have had many experiences and memories so far but if you want to see what I cherish the most, see my Family Pictures.

12 comments:

  1. You have a very interesting life. :)

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  2. I saw a man "Unselfish" actually your little WW2 film productions are superb, to say the least !
    My name is Craig Berry, I am from Newcastle (Australia) my story is interesting and long. However to cut to the chase, I have spent, many years travelling around Thailand, I took a Thai wife about 7 years ago. I have been bitten by the travel bug, way back then. I cannot get South East Asia out of my mind.
    I have been preoccupied with world history and especially WW2. I guess if I where American and I resided in the Marianas, I would be doing exactly what you are doing. My heart would be going out to those extremely, brave, countryman that gave there all to the cause of freedom.
    I see much of me in what you do.
    I look forward to maybe one day meeting up with you. (You never know) I am working now to clear myself my wife and my little son from this hell rat race and live it out somewhere on my terms. That is my dream. I think everybody has a dream and every special dream, like mine should be reality.
    I may write again, when I have more time. I certainly wish you luck and happiness. What you do is wonderful , to say the least.

    Sincerely
    Craig Berry
    +61410642455

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  3. Good Day to Eric Johnson, Thank you for crawling through the caves and history of Saipan and posting the video clips on You Tube. Fascinating, I hope you are well and still exploring. Don't step on the grenades...

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  4. Hey mr.Johnson, I was looking through the 161-01 grade book and I noticed that my chp.6 hw grade is left blank.
    I put it in your box in your office and I'm just wondering if you got it. Pls. Let me know by emailing me at michellefuji@gmail.com
    Thank you, and have an awesome holiday season (:

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. Mr. Johnson,
    Hi, my name is Marcus Payne. I tried emailing you, but a pop-up says the default mail client is not properly installed. I did the same boonie stomping as a teenager on Guam in the 1970's; and experienced my only 15 minutes of fame in the Pacific Daily News when I came across a Japanese straggler near the NW caves in 1975. I plan to revisit certain caves on Guam in late July 2014 if I can find them. First trip back in 37 years. I wonder if I could discuss a couple of things with you. I find your videos fascinating and very educational, and would appreciate if you could send an email to me for response. The 2 questions will be kept short and to the point so as to not waste your time. My address is maapayne 'at' msn 'dot' com. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Marcus,
      WOW! That was an incredible find you had. Just let me know what you would like to discuss.
      Eric

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  7. Hey, Mr. Johnson. Happy new year!
    I've sent you an email and I hope you'd be able to respond to it.

    Take care

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  8. SEMPER FI Marine. I am a history nut and thanks to you I cannot get Siapan out of my mind. I've adventured and learned so much from your videos and the historical narrative. I worked as an IS Controls Compliance Auditor for a very large US business so I worked in Manila for so many years. I was stationed in Subic Bay as an Marine in '72, spend 6 months in Bien Hoa Vietnam until evac. Coming back to Guam and Manila later as a civilian was a thrill. I study the island Marine campaigns and was able to visit Iwo Jima but always wanted to go to Siapan and Tinian. YOU have taken me there virtually on a helluva war history virtual tour I never would have gotten on my own. A hand shake to you, Eric and SEMPER FI Marine! - Take Care, you and your family - Regis (now in Omaha NE)

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  9. Watch several of your videos on youtube, hope you are well.

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