At Peekskill High School, traditional gym class is no longer the only path to earning a physical education (P.E.) credit. In a shift toward more inclusive and engaging options, students can now enroll in innovative dance classes that blend fitness with creativity.

Leading this movement is Patricia Johnson, 38, a former Division 1 volleyball player turned dance instructor and physical education teacher who’s redefining how students stay active at Peekskill.

“I didn’t know I wanted to be a part of theater. I didn’t know I wanted to be in dance. I didn’t know any of this was my life,” Johnson said. “I was always just a jock.”

But plans change – and in Johnson’s case, they blossomed into something bigger.

When she arrived at Peekskill in the fall of 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson was tasked with instructing a dance class without ever meeting students in person. “It was nerve wracking,” she recalled. “I was starting a new job, we’re still on computers, and I had to do a dance class with kids I’ve never met.”

“I was like, I’m just going to let my personality take the wheel, and hopefully it goes well,” she said. To her surprise, it worked. That first class would be the foundation for what has since become a thriving dance program, a year-round team, and even a new musical theater dance class.

Today, students can earn P.E. credit through either of Johnson’s classes: traditional dance class or musical theater dance, which launched as a pilot this school year with 11 students. 

Johnson also choreographs the high school’s drama productions, including “Legally Blonde”, “In the Heights”, “Footloose”, and “The Wiz”.

Peekskill High School Principal Jenna Ferris praised Johnson’s impact.“Coach Johnson is an incredible asset to our PHS team,” she said. “Through her dedication and love of dance, she has transformed our program into a vibrant, student-led space for creativity and student expression.”

Sweat, Rhythm, and Credit

During the pandemic, Johnson led a virtual dance class that consisted of just four students. Five years later, her classes have become some of the most popular offerings at Peekskill High School. 

“There was already a dance class here, but it was kind of like a fitness class with music,” she said. “I turned it into a creative dance class.”

Held in the auditorium instead of the gymnasium, Johnson’s dance classes follow a structured two-week unit system – similar to P.E. class. But instead of dribbling a basketball, students break a sweat through movement and choreography.

What makes Johnson’s class different is her student-first approach. At the beginning of the school year, students choose the genres and themes they want to explore. 

“My teaching philosophy is that things should be student-led,” Johnson said. “They pick the units or the genres and they get to create the dances. I just facilitate and give them the criteria.”

Though she doesn’t have a formal training as a dancer, Johnson believes her athletic background and love for movement make her the perfect instructor to lead the program, which is more about expression than perfection. 

“I’m not a trained dancer. I don’t have a background in dancing – which works well in this type of class” she said. “I’m not teaching them the fundamentals of dance. I’m using dance as a means of working out and helping them express themselves and be creative.”

That creativity extends beyond the dance class itself. As the choreographer and assistant director of several drama productions, Johnson began connecting with students in theater – and that eventually led to her launching a separate musical theater class. Next year, it’s expected to more than double in size. 

“It’s very different from dance class. They’re just dancing to theater music,” she said. Through this experience, Johnson has deepened her appreciation for a different side of the school community. “I’ve grown to have love for that demographic of kids in our school – they’re great.”

Whether it’s performing at school events, visiting senior centers, or embarking on what students call their “world tour” of district schools, Johnson’s students are constantly moving – both physically and artistically. 

Building a Team

Outside of school hours, Johnson leads Peekskill High School’s dance team – an audition-only group for her most dedicated dancers. 

While anyone can join her for-credit classes, the team operates more like a varsity sport, with tryouts, cuts, and multiple practices a week depending on the season. This year, more than 30 students auditioned; 18 made the cut.

The team officially formed in 2023, but the idea had been simmering for years. In 2021, students first approached Johnson about starting a step team. At the time, she was still a new teacher and wasn’t able to get it off the ground. Still, student interest never faded.

In early 2023, as the district explored new clubs, Johnson pushed for the creation of a dance club – and got the green light. “We’re technically a club, but I call us a team, because that’s what we are,” she said. 

Since then, the group has performed at several athletic events, including basketball postseason games and, most notably, during halftime at a Westchester Knicks game at the Westchester County Center in 2024. That opportunity came after Principal Ferris sent the Knicks videos of their performances – and the team was invited. 

“They were so nervous,” recalled Johnson. “But afterwards, the adrenaline they had when they came off the court – I was like ‘This is why we do this.” [Click here to view their performance]

Many team members juggle sports, theater, or honor courses. Due to this, Johnson keeps practices flexible and praises their dedication.“They all have a million other things to do, and they still find time to learn the choreography, get it together and perform.”

Senior Arisa Specce, a dancer and track athlete, has seen Johnson’s impact up close. “Coach Johnson actually started off as my track coach, but then ended up being my dance coach,” Specce said. “She always tries to find the best opportunities for us and always supports us – even when we’re down.”

This year, the only male on the team was Jericho Davis. Johnson said his presence has encouraged more boys to join. “I think he has opened up the door for more boys to feel comfortable to dance with us. My enrollment for dance class next year for boys has skyrocketed.” 

Athletic Director Austin Goldberg called Johnson “a beacon of positive energy” and shared his admiration for her ability to turn vision into reality. “It has been a joy to watch her thrive,” he said. “Her unwavering dedication continues to make a profound impact on the students of Peekskill, and I feel honored to support her journey.”

Journey to Peekskill

Johnson’s path to becoming a beloved teacher didn’t happen overnight. It was shaped by years of athletic excellence, unexpected turns, and a deep desire to empower young people.

An Ossining native and 2005 OHS graduate, Johnson is a member of the Ossining Athletic Hall of Fame. She was a four-sport athlete in track and field, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. As an All-State volleyball player, she earned a full-ride to play Division 1 at Temple University.

At Temple, she continued to excel, earning multiple All-Conference honors and helping her team win three Atlantic 10 East Division titles. She graduated in 2010 with a degree from the School of Communication and Theater. 

After graduation, she built her coaching resume with roles as assistant coach at Downstate Juniors Volleyball Club in Peekskill and varsity head coach at the School of the Holy Child in Rye. In 2011, she joined the volleyball coaching staff at Fordham University, where she remained for six years before stepping away in 2017. 

With a masters degree in Sports Business Management from Manhattanville University, Johnson originally planned to become an athletic director. But everything changed after speaking to a sports panel for high school girls. “I could tell they needed some representation,” she recalled “They were just listening to every word I was saying and asked a million questions. I thought, “I definitely need to be a teacher or do something with younger kids.” 

So she went back to school – again – to earn her masters in Physical Education. After a brief stint teaching in New York City, Johnson arrived at Peekskill in 2020. She quickly became involved, coaching varsity volleyball, girls basketball, and indoor and outdoor track.

“I enjoy being with the kids and giving them a space to be creative,” she said. “They tell me they feel safe with me. So I try to be there as much as possible with them.”

Though she’s pursuing a third masters – this time in administration – Johnson says she’s not sure if she’ll ever leave the classroom. “I genuinely love my kids,” she said. “But I’m not going to close any doors.” 

Beyond the Classroom

While Johnson’s days are packed with teaching, choreographing, and mentoring, her personal life plays a key role in helping her stay motivated.

At home, Johnson is a proud mother to a five-year-old daughter, Adele. Johnson says Adele has become a familiar presence at rehearsals and performances. “She’s constantly around the team,” she said. 

Supporting Johnson behind the scenes are her husband, Andre Johnson, and her mother, Pamela Vernon – both of whom she credits as her foundation. “I couldn’t do any of this without them,” said Johnon. “When I’m exhausted or I need help – my husband and my mother, they’re my rock.”

Despite her full plate, Johnson always finds time to prioritize her well being. “I workout every day – even if I get an hour to myself – moving is important to me. I don’t care if it’s dancing, playing a sport, or in the gym.”

Outside of the high school, Johnson continues to expand her reach through her work with New Era Creative Space, a community organization that offers programs for youth. There, she leads a creative dance class filled with middle school age students. She calls them her “junior dance team.”

Looking ahead, Johnson would like to build a stronger dance foundation within the Peekskill City School District, possibly introducing dance to the middle school.

Other goals include growing the high school program and eventually hosting a local competition. “I’m hoping to grow dance where I would do more dance and less P.E.”

Johnson may have started her career on the court, but it’s on the stage, the dance floor, and in the heart of her students where her legacy is truly taking shape.