New Andalusia Elementary School Principal Brenda Johnson plans to develop leadership and life skills in her students through the LeaderInMe program, promote and support STEM education school-wide and celebrate student successes.

“I think we are on the right track,” Johnson, who most recently was the school’s assistant principal, said. “We have already seen so much success in what we are doing, so I think we will be staying on this track.”

Johnson has been in education for 29 years. She said she chose a career in education primarily because of her own caring teachers.

“The teachers who showed love, compassion and commitment to their students all while making learning fun are the ones that inspired me to become a teacher,” Johnson said. “I wanted to have the same positive impact on my students that my teachers had on me.”

Johnson said that she is very excited and blessed to be named AES principal.

“I think with my experience in education, it is coming to a point where I can say I have reached where I wanted to go,” Johnson said. “I just love the children.”

Johnson said that the best part of being in administration is her connection with the children.

“I think the connection with the children is the best part,” Johnson said. “Also the opportunity to help teachers celebrate their students’ successes. I really enjoy how much problem solving is in being in administration. I love a challenge.”

Johnson is a graduate of Red Level High School. She attended LBW Community College, then transferred to Auburn University in Montgomery where she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in school counseling, and an administration certification in instructional leadership.

Johnson has served at Andalusia City Schools for 16 years as a classroom teacher and school counselor from 1989 to 2005, served as a school counselor at Red Level Elementary School for 10 years from 2005 to 2015, and returned to Andalusia City Schools as a school counselor and assistant principal from 2015 until now.

Outside of work, Johnson enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and spending time with her church family at Millcreek Baptist Church.

She and her husband, Gary Johnson, have two daughters, Haley and Hannah Johnson.