The Tempest

Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: LaTasha Monique Sociology instructor Tonmar Johnson knows first hand how hard it could be for students to succeed. He credits instructor Ann Bevilacqua

As professor Tonmar Johnson, Sociology instructor at Solano Community College, sits in the stands at last Friday's men's basketball game, he gives one final look at the score board and frowns at Solano's devastating defeat against Los Mendanos College and says "I hate to lose."

Perhaps it is this same mentality he takes into his classroom as he readily hands his students the tools they need "to be successful in life."

A former student of Solano Community College, Professor Johnson is no stranger to the obstacles students may face while embarking on their own personal journey. Having experienced the death of a loved one during one semester, he knows how it feels to just want to give up.


Johnson talks about the understanding that Ann Bevilacqua had for her students and the encouragement she gave him at one of his toughest times. "I was going through a rough time and she was the only one who showed compassion for me," says Johnson.

Johnson says that Bevilacqua not only gave him encouragement to continue but helped him through the process as well. "She's the reason why I came back here," says Johnson.

Following in the steps of his mentor, Johnson welcomes his students to come in and see him anytime during the semester regarding any problems they may be having. "I'm here for the student," says Johnson.

Current student Gina Redisi says "He's helpful when you have a problem, he actually motivated me."

Johnson looks back on his time at SCC and recalls having no one to relate to. "I had no one to identify with; no one who had been in my shoes," says Johnson.


Being a former athlete himself, Johnson says his biggest concern lies with the young African American athletes who sit in his class. "I really try to reach out to them and give them the opportunity to use the experience and the knowledge I have to make it easier on them," said Johnson.

Johnson, recognizing this problem, has made it his personal mission to give his students someone to relate to. "It doesn't just come automatically," says Johnson. "I go to sporting events to make myself visible, I really reach out to all my students."

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