Open to opportunities

Michelle Johns

@michellejohns

Dr. Michelle Johns is an interdisciplinary scholar and social scientist whose is dedicated to the advancement of social research.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for an academic role where I can teach, design curriculum, and mentor students—bringing data-informed criminal justice instruction alongside rigorous Jewish studies, research, and OER-style learning resources.

I’m a Professor of Jewish Studies at Judaic Studies Institute Yeshiva in Shreveport, where I lead curriculum design, create instructional materials, and deliver undergraduate and graduate coursework. I also manage departmental administrative tasks and contribute to service activities that keep programs strong, responsive, and student-centered.

I bring an interdisciplinary teaching approach through my Criminal Justice work as well—currently serving as a Lecturer of Criminal Justice at Tennessee Technological University. I design and deliver courses ranging from Introduction to Criminal Justice and Police Process to Violence in America, Community Policing, and Corrections, and I’ve taught research and data-focused subjects including Research Methods and Introduction to Social Statistics.

My scholarly interests ground my classroom practice. My dissertation, “The Messianic Premier,” and my M.A. capstones (including “Affordable Housing & Homelessness: Two Crises One Result” and “Beit Chesed Messianic Siddur”) reflect my commitment to rigorous study paired with practical, humane outcomes. I also publish peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed work, including forthcoming statistics-focused learning materials and OER resources such as “Conversational Hebrew.”

I’m equally dedicated to mentorship and academic community building. Across roles, I’ve served as a student advisor, faculty advisor, chair and committee member, and dissertation committee co-chair, focusing on recruitment, development, and student success. Earlier professional experience—including tutoring, archival internship work (creating metadata and drafting finding aids), and substitute teaching—shaped my ability to support learners with clarity, structure, and care.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Lecturer - Criminal Justice

Current

Tennessee Technological University

Aug 2025 - Present (10 months)

Designed curriculum and created instructional materials while delivering undergraduate Criminal Justice coursework. Provided academic mentoring to undergraduate students and contributed to departmental service activities.

Curriculum Design Undergraduate Teaching Academic Mentoring Higher Education Instruction Student Advising Departmental Service

Current

Professor - Jewish Studies

Current

Judaic Studies Institute Yeshiva

Jan 2021 - Present (5 years 5 months)

Designed curricula and created instructional materials for undergraduate and graduate Jewish Studies instruction. Managed departmental administrative tasks and contributed to service activities.

Curriculum Design & Administration Judaic Studies Education Course Coordination

Instructor - Criminal Justice

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Jan 2021 - May 2025 (4 years 4 months)

Designed curriculum and created instructional materials for undergraduate Criminal Justice courses. Provided academic mentoring to undergraduate students and contributed to service activities.

Curriculum Design Undergraduate Teaching Academic Mentoring Criminal Justice Education Student Support Departmental Service

Test Administrator

Bossier Parish Community College

Sep 2019 - Aug 2020 (11 months)

Administered high-stakes professional and academic exams in a workforce development setting. Handled exam delivery for credentials including LSAT, HiSET, NCLEX, USMLE, and CompTIA.

LSAT HiSET NCLEX USMLE CompTIA

Freelance Tutor

Tutorette Tutoring

Jan 2018 - Jan 2020 (2 years)

Provided individualized tutoring for primary, secondary, and post-secondary students. Tutored students in English, Math, and Science to support academic progress.

English tutoring Math Tutoring Science Tutoring Student Support Progress Support

Archival Intern

North Louisiana Archives & Special Collections

Jan 2015 - Jun 2016 (1 year 5 months)

Processed archival materials by rehousing items in archival-safe containers. Created metadata for digital items, drafted finding aids, and supported research requests.

Archival Rehousing Metadata Finding Aids Drafting Digital Archives Support Cataloging Concepts

Substitute Teacher

Caddo Parish Public School District

Jan 2015 - Jan 2016 (1 year)

Oversaw classroom operations and monitored student engagement, behavior, and academic progress. Supported learning continuity during teacher absences by managing classroom activities and expectations.

Classroom Monitoring Classroom Management Instructional Support Student Engagement Attendance Supervision

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

American Public University

Master of Arts, Psychology

Master of Arts in Psychology from American Public University (18 credit hours).

American Public University

Master of Arts, Sociology

Master of Arts in Sociology from American Public University. Capstone: Affordable Housing & Homelessness: Two Crises One Result.

American Public University

Master of Arts, Rabbinic Studies & Semicah

Master of Arts in Rabbinic Studies and Semicah from American Public University.

Judaic Studies Institute

Doctor of Philosophy, Jewish Studies (Biblical & Talmudic Law)

Doctor of Philosophy in Jewish Studies with a focus on Biblical & Talmudic Law from Judaic Studies Institute. Dissertation: The Messianic Premier: A Foundational View for a Messianic Jew.