Celebrating National Principals Month: Adam Johnson of ACTIVE Academies!

October is National Principals Month! Our Principals are amazing instructional leaders dedicated to ensuring our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else!  We’re recognizing these inspiring leaders with special posts throughout the month. Please join us in thanking them for all they do to support our mission of being the highest performing school district in Georgia.  

ACTIVE Academies Principal Adam Johnson

Why did you want to become a teacher?
I always loved football.  After high school, I had plans to be a business major.  My high school football coach asked me to help coach the freshman team.  In that experience, I found a passion inside me for coaching.  That led me to change majors to education.  Little did I know that I would find that passion burn even hotter for teaching.  

Who was the most influential teacher in your life?
I had several amazing teachers in my youth.  The one that really made me want to become an educator was my ninth-grade literature teacher.  It was the first time that I found reading fun.  He brought learning to life.  The art of teaching was on display in his classroom.  To call it a production would be an understatement.  He was ahead of the curve on student centered learning.  We never just listened to only read.  The room was interactive, in motion, fast paced, and fun.  He inspired me to want to bring that same feeling to other students.

What’s a favorite memory from your first year as a teacher?  
My first year as a teacher was in a co-teaching environment.  Every period I was with a different teacher and subject.  As a new teacher, I was learning as much as the students!  My favorite memory as a new teacher was with Ms. Eller’s first-period class.  The students would raise their hands when we gave out an assignment to ask who would be grading it.  Apparently, I was a much easier grader as a new teacher.  By the end of the year, Ms. Eller had whipped me into shape!  I am grateful for her guidance and support that first year.  

How did teaching prepare you to be a Principal?  
Teaching is what it is all about.  Knowing the experience of designing, implementing, failing, redesigning, and implementing again all with the aim of providing the best educational experience possible as a teacher is at the forefront of my mind as an education leader.  Even now, as a Principal, my favorite parts of my day are when I get into classrooms and interact with the students.  Helping them grow, challenging them with hard concepts, and encouraging them to take risks brings me great joy.  I feel that the 14 years I spent in the classroom gave me perspective on the role a teacher has and the impact they can have on students.  I take the perspective into account every day as decisions are made and conditions are set in our building for student success.  I want to give the teachers the resources they need, and the opportunity to love kids and inspire kids every day. 

#CCSDElevateTheExcellence #ThankAPrincipal