Lynn teacher runs to raise money for aquarium program

LYNN – When Sarah-Anne Johnson was trying to get a foot in the door teaching and found herself subbing in the Lynn schools, a friend who worked at the New England Aquarium told her about the educational programs available for teachers to bring into their classrooms and Johnson decided to give it a try.That was a few years back. Johnson is now an elementary art teacher at Sisson and Tracy elementary schools in Lynn and having brought the program into her own classroom and seen how much the students enjoyed it, she has decided to run the Boston Marathon this year as part of New England Aquarium team. The money raised will help support the aquarium’s community outreach programs.?Students like mine, who may not have the means to otherwise go to the aquarium and meet Myrtle the Turtle, can with this incredible program,” Johnson said. “Once children come face to face with these great creatures, how can they not want to protect them and our oceans??This will be Johnson’s first marathon. The 34-year-old Danvers resident has done some long training runs with the 25-member aquarium team on the weekends as well as running on her own several times a week. Some of the members of the team ran last year, but were unable to finish because of the bombing.Johnson has been a spectator at the Marathon for many years. She would take in the Red Sox game and then head for Kenmore Square to cheer on the runners as they made that last push toward finish line. Last year it was a different story.Johnson said she was in Kenmore when she was told to turn around and leave as fast as she could.?The events of last year made me mad, but what inspires me to run is how awesome Boston is. When all hell broke loose, Bostonians ran to help,” she said.Johnson said being able to run the first Boston Marathon after the bombing is truly special.?It’s awesome,” Johnson said. “I can’t wait ? to be part of this amazing day in Boston, I don’t have words to say what that means.”As far as personal goals go, Johnson has one.?It’s my first marathon. I just want to finish,” she said.Although she is aware that some people may not want to go back this year, either as a runner or a spectator, she wants to be there.?I want to show support for all the survivors and all the awesome people in Boson who helped (that day)” she said.As difficult as the training is, Johnson said the toughest part is the fund raising. Each member of the team must raise $5,000. Johnson is getting there, but she still needs to raise $1,670, Anyone who would like to donate can do so by going to http://support.neaq.org/MarathonSarah-Anne.The New England Aquarium’s outreach program brings tide pools and aquatic animals to 45,000 children in day cares, schools, YMCAs, Boys & Girls clubs, and other community centers in the Greater Boston area.