By A.J. Dugger III
MEMPHIS, TN — Avery Johnson’s life was changed forever when her mother enrolled her in an etiquette class as a young girl. Today, Johnson is the owner of The Southern Academy of Etiquette, a popular etiquette school in Memphis. “We focus on self-esteem, leadership and communication skills. We help students advance to the real world,” Johnson told The Tennessee Tribune. “Being an educator I thought it was well-needed. I always wanted to be a business owner. Children definitely need these skills to advance to the real world.”
The six-week class takes place on Saturdays and is available to both boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18. “In the first class we go through proper introductions and I teach them how to properly eat finger foods. During the second class we focus on the proper way to eat soup. In the third class we go into a three course meal and in class four we do pizza and telephone etiquette. In the fifth class they (the students) utilize their skills and in the last class the parents come in and watch the students utilize their skills.”
The academy’s curriculum includes positive self-image, public speaking, correct posture, dining, social skills, correspondence, fashion classes, and other activities. Johnson majored in finance at The University of Memphis and received her masters and education specialist degrees from Freed Hardeman University. She is an educator for Shelby County Schools who has worked with Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. and is the etiquette consultant for their Debutante Program. She has also served as a judge for the Miss Teen Memphis Pageant. “I went to the prestigious American School of Protocol in Atlanta, GA. I am certified and I received in-depth training,” Johnson explained.
The young entrepreneur comes from a unique music background. Her father was Elton Johnson, the bassist and lead choreographer for a Memphis funk band known as The Dealers. “My father was a very hard worker. He was very encouraging to me,” said Johnson. In addition, her older brother is a rapper living in Atlanta known by the name B- Hav.
The confidence and desire she learned from her parents laid the groundwork for Johnson to achieve what she has done. She says she gets positive feedback from her students’ parents, especially at the end of the course. “The parents absolutely do notice the change in their child. The students get a certificate of completion at the end. Once you complete the program you can advance on to The Youth Culture 2 Program and that’s where we focus on skin care, fashion classes, interviewing, mother-daughter and father-son classes and there are classes on dating. You should never be uncomfortable around the opposite sex.”
Johnson’s verbal and soft-spoken approach to her students has proven successful. “I do not use handouts, a powerpoint presentation or overhead projector. These students are listening to me. A lot of them are as young as six years old.. Their little brains are like sponges. They soak it in. This program gives students the skills that change their lives and prepares them for any situation. That’s what these children are getting. I love what I do and I’m looking forward to training other educators to becoming certified etiquette consultants.” For more information visit Southernacademyofettique.com.