For 27 years, Gloria Johnson dedicated her life to educating and advocating for students with special needs in Tennessee's public schools. As a special education teacher, she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by educators and the dire need for better resources and support. However, it was the legislature's decision to remove a teacher's seat at the table that ultimately propelled her into the political arena, igniting a relentless fight to hold politicians accountable for attacks on students' and teachers' rights.

Johnson's journey began in the classroom, where she found her true calling as a special education teacher. With unwavering patience and compassion, she guided countless students through their academic and personal struggles, recognizing the unique needs and potential of each individual. Her commitment to her students extended far beyond the confines of the classroom, as she tirelessly advocated for their rights and the resources they deserved.

"Teaching wasn't just a job for me; it was a vocation," Johnson recalls. "I saw the potential in every student, and it was my mission to help them unlock it, no matter the obstacles they faced."

As the years passed, Johnson witnessed the erosion of support for public education in Tennessee. Teachers' voices were increasingly silenced, and their concerns were met with indifference from the very legislators who should have been their staunchest allies. It was this disheartening reality that ultimately prompted Johnson to take action.

"When the legislature removed a teacher's seat at the table, it was a slap in the face to every educator in this state," Johnson says. "We were being shut out of the conversation about our own profession, and that was unacceptable."

In 2012, Johnson made the bold decision to run for the Tennessee House of Representatives, determined to be the voice for teachers and students that the legislature had so callously dismissed.

Johnson's entry into politics was met with immediate resistance from the Republican-controlled legislature. She faced tactics designed to undermine her efforts, including being reassigned to a closet-sized office and enduring blatant gerrymandering attempts. But Johnson refused to be deterred, her resolve only strengthening with each obstacle she encountered.

"They thought they could silence me, but they were sorely mistaken," Johnson says. "I'm not afraid to stand up to anyone when it comes to doing what's right for Tennessee's students and teachers."

Johnson's unwavering commitment to her cause garnered the support of educators and advocates across the state. Her allies recognized her as a tireless fighter, willing to put everything on the line to protect the rights of students and teachers.

"Gloria has been a beacon of hope for those of us who have felt powerless in the face of attacks on public education," says Charlane Oliver, a state senator and co-chair of Johnson's U.S. Senate campaign. "She's proven time and again that she won't back down, no matter the personal consequences."

As Johnson's campaign for the U.S. Senate gains momentum, her message remains clear: Tennessee's students and teachers deserve better. She advocates for increased funding for public schools, better resources for educators, and a renewed commitment to prioritizing the needs of students over political agendas.

"For too long, our elected officials have treated public education as an afterthought," Johnson says. "It's time for a change. It's time for leaders who understand the value of investing in our children's futures and supporting the dedicated professionals who shape those futures every day."

Johnson's campaign has garnered support from a diverse coalition of educators, advocates, and artists, all united in their belief that she is the champion Tennessee's public education system so desperately needs. Grammy-winning musicians like Allison Russell and Maren Morris have lent their voices to the cause, recording the anthem "Tennessee Rise" to rally support for Johnson's bid for the Senate.

"Gloria stood up and spoke out against the state's refusal to pass common-sense gun reform to protect our children," a press statement from the artists reads. "After surviving a politically charged expulsion vote, Gloria continued to work tirelessly to use her platform to grow a lasting statewide grassroots movement for change. That's why we are so proud to support Gloria, and her campaign for U.S. Senate."

As the campaign progresses, Johnson remains steadfast in her commitment to the people of Tennessee. Her message is one of hope, resilience, and a unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities.

"I've spent my entire career fighting for the rights of students and teachers," Johnson says. "And I'm not about to stop now. Tennessee deserves leaders who will put the needs of our families first, and that's exactly what I intend to do."