AUSTIN, Texas — Former University of Texas at Austin football star and longtime Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson is once again investing in the next generation—this time through books, not touchdowns.
On Monday, Johnson helped open his sixth DJ’s Discovery Den in Austin, this time at Perez Elementary School in South Austin. The initiative, led by his foundation, transforms underused school spaces into vibrant literacy hubs—each filled with more than 1,000 brand-new, age-appropriate books and a cozy, inviting atmosphere for independent reading.
“I love being in our schools,” Johnson said at the grand opening. “It brings back wonderful memories of where and how I began to love reading and learning.”
This latest Discovery Den is also a first: it’s located inside Perez’s 'Maker Space'—an interactive learning lab that combines books with hands-on activities focused on technology and trade skills. The space supports activities like coding, 3D printing, and robotics, bridging literacy with real-world applications.
The Maker Space, launched by school librarian Randi Sather last year, has faced challenges due to limited funding. Much of the money raised has gone toward tech-focused and bilingual books, which are crucial for Perez’s large Spanish-speaking student population. Sather says about half the book budget supports tech and trade topics, while another 25% supports bilingual materials.
To help keep the space growing, the Austin Ed Fund has created a donation site aimed at funding new tools like 3D printers, digital cameras, and teacher training resources, allowing educators to better integrate the space into daily lesson plans.
**[ALSO| Longhorn legend Derrick Johnson unveils Austin's 1st 'Discovery Den' at Title 1 school](https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/longhorn-legend-derrick-johnson-unveils-austins-1st-discovery-den-at-title-1-school)**
The grand opening comes amid growing concern over reading performance in Texas and across the country. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), reading scores for fourth and eighth graders dropped two points compared to 2022. In a troubling trend, 40% of fourth graders nationwide scored below the Basic level—the highest percentage since 2002.
Locally, Austin ISD outperforms the state average in early grade reading scores, but growth has slowed, reflecting a broader national trend. AISD is also facing a $60 million budget deficit, which has already triggered staffing freezes and deep cuts to campus-level budgets, leaving few resources for literacy support or library upgrades.
Johnson said that AISD leaders told him many school libraries haven’t received substantial physical updates in more than 20 years, and many elementary school collections still include books from the 1990s.
“My college days in Austin were especially important to me because they helped me become the person that I am today,” Johnson told the crowd. “So it is an honor to live in Austin now with my wife, Brittni, and to raise my family in Austin. I’m excited to serve alongside all of you here today at Perez and at more Austin schools in the near future.”
At the opening, AISD Superintendent Matias Segura and Austin Ed Fund leaders emphasized the need for more public and private support to keep programs like DJ’s Discovery Den alive, especially as state funding for public schools remains stagnant.
Johnson says this is just the beginning. His foundation plans to open its seventh Discovery Den this fall at Palm Elementary, also in South Austin.