
The Dark Knight of 5th Grade Ed Tech
From Tips and Salsa by Redlands Instructional Tech
February 18, 2026 · 45 min · Season 8 · Episode 3
About this episode
Adam Johnson discusses his transition from graphic design to teaching 5th grade and how he integrates design tools into his classroom.
Every hero has an origin story! In this episode, we sit down with Kimberly Elementary’s Adam Johnson, who traded a 20-year career in professional graphic design for the "multiverse" of the 5th-grade classroom. Adam shares how he uses his design superpowers to teach students to master tools like Canva, Google Sites, and Minecraft Education. From building sleek digital portfolios to tackling diabolical coding challenges, tune in to learn how Adam prepares his students for middle school and beyond by emphasizing professional presentation, balance, and real-world digital skills.
People in this episode
Guest: Adam Johnson
Topics covered
- 5th grade education
- graphic design
- digital skills
- Canva
- Google Sites
- Minecraft Education
Keywords
- education technology
- digital portfolios
- coding challenges
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Canva, Google Sites, Minecraft Education
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