“An education is the single most important investment you can ever make in your life,” says Dr. Edward Johnson, the principal of Brentwood High School.
Johnson earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Missouri Baptist University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lindenwood University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Maryville University.
Beginning as a substitute teacher for St. Louis Public Schools, Johnson, serving in his 25th year in education, has performed in a variety of roles.
He worked as a physical education teacher, football and basketball coach at Ladue High School. Then Johnson received a pivotal opportunity in his career, where he transitioned into an administrator. He served as the assistant principal for Brentwood Middle School and Brentwood High School concurrently for eight years, before being promoted to his current post.
“I made the decision to go into administration because of my desire to work with student athletes, more so on the academic rather than the athletic side of their school experience,” Johnson explains.
Working in varied areas in education has given Johnson a broad perspective that forms his approach to teaching and leading.
“My coaching background is the core foundation for my leadership style,” he says. “Through coaching, I learned how to inspire, motivate and teach. I utilize those same coaching techniques to encourage students to invest in an education that can create opportunities for post-secondary plans and career aspirations. I use those same skills when working with my teaching staff.”
As Johnson seeks to motivate others, his mother, Delores Johnson, an accomplished student and educator herself, set the stage and inspired him to pursue a career in education as an act of service.
“My mother is the reason that I chose the field of education,” he says. “I credit her for instilling in me the values and life lessons that make me the man that I am today.”
Those values shaped Johnson’s perspective on defining his objectives concerning how to support those under his leadership.
“My primary goal as an educator is to serve each and every student with excellence,” he says, “and to support teachers in their efforts to be creative and innovative practitioners that deliver high quality instruction to all kids.”
Some of the challenges in meeting those efforts include the increased concern from educators competing with the ever growing frontier of social networks to effectively engage students.
“The emergence of technology,” says Johnson, “with regard to social networking and social media sites has created a major distraction on a student’s ability to focus and learn. As we progress through the 21st century, school districts have to find a safe and effective way to integrate technology into the learning process.”
Johnson has taken a flexible approach, attempting to embrace the evolving environment in which students learn.
“My staff and I modified our cell phone policy to grant students permission to use personal technology devices,” Johnson says. “Teachers will govern the use of cell phones in their classrooms and are allowing students to use them during the instructional process.”
Having an extensible vision is essential to creating a setting where students thrive. And vision, some would say, can be impeded by politics when it comes to public schools. Johnson expounds on the politicizing of education in the region.
“Educators are pulled in so many directions that the focus on teaching tends to get lost,” Johnson says. “It is critical during these times that government officials and educational leaders join forces and enter a partnership to ensure decisions made are focused on what is in the best interest of the children that are impacted.”
Though educators are often faced with circumstances that may make it difficult to put students first, Johnson doesn’t want anyone interested in entering the field to be deterred.
“My biggest bit of advice,” Johnson states, “to those considering going into education is to not allow negative media coverage or burned-out attitudes to prevent you from feeling empowered to enter one of the most important and gratifying career pathways life has to offer. There is nothing better than giving back to communities by serving in public schools systems. Through service in the field of education we develop students, cultivate new leaders and strengthen our communities.”
