Atlanta school superintendent finalist brought more testing, ideas to previous district

While he’s no superhero, some of Johnson’s former colleagues say he has skills that will serve him well in Atlanta. Johnson’s last school district leadership role was as superintendent of Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga from 2017 to 2021.

“The most important thing he brought to our district was his vision,” said Kendra Young, a former middle school science teacher. “No one can meet Dr. Johnson and not feel his passion and vision for students and schools. We may not always agree on how to get there, but he was a true visionary.”

In interviews with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hamilton County school board members and educators noted that test scores and graduation rates have increased during Johnson’s tenure. They also spoke about several initiatives that began under his leadership. Board Chairman Joe Smith said Johnson’s most notable accomplishment was partnering with businesses to develop the Future Ready Institutes, where students can graduate from high school with a diploma.

“We are continuing today on the same trajectory that Dr. Johnson envisioned,” Smith said.

Credits: Seeger Gray / [email protected]

Credits: Seeger Gray / [email protected]

Although Young praised Johnson, she disagreed with some of his initiatives. For example, she didn’t like that he increased the number of tests students had to take during the year.

“It’s caused extremely high stress,” she said. “It’s not good for students, and it’s not good for teachers.”

Young said she understands why Johnson increased testing; he was able to show that students were making progress.

Johnson convinced some school board members who had not voted for him to become superintendent. Kathy Lennon said Johnson was living in Nashville at the time and had not taught in Hamilton County.

“I was hesitant to vote for him as superintendent and bring in someone new that we didn’t know,” she said, adding that her concerns quickly diminished.

Lennon said one of Johnson’s greatest accomplishments was establishing learning communities in the district, where schools in the same area could work together and communicate their specific needs to the school system.

“He’s a very dynamic leader, and he surrounds himself with good people,” she said, adding that Johnson often sought feedback from teachers.

School board member Karitsa Jones said she voted for another candidate in 2017 but quickly became a Johnson supporter.

“Dr. Johnson has been tremendous,” she said. “He has been a trailblazer for us here in Hamilton County. He has led our district to become one of the fastest growing school districts in the state of Tennessee in a short period of time.”

Jones said she was impressed that he worked with utility companies to expand internet access to low-income students during the pandemic.

Credits: Bita Honarvar

Credits: Bita Honarvar

Several people who worked with Johnson said they didn’t agree with him on everything, but they admired his work ethic and what he was able to accomplish.

Jeanette Omarkhail, president of the Hamilton County Education Association, said Johnson always put students first.

“He’s going to do what’s best for the kids,” she said. “That’s really what he’s going to look at: ‘What’s going to help this school district? What’s best for the kids sitting in these seats?’ That’s what’s most important and that’s what he’s going to do.”

Credits: Seeger Gray / [email protected]

Credits: Seeger Gray / [email protected]

Johnson resigned from his Hamilton County position in August 2021, with three years remaining on his contract. Johnson did not provide a specific reason for his departure in his resignation letter. A Nashville native, he most recently served as executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC).

Johnson has repeatedly said the APS has not reached its potential. His priorities, if he gets the Atlanta job, include strengthening ongoing efforts to improve students’ reading and math skills and improving special education services.

“This should be the best urban school district in the country. Period,” he said at a meeting at Sutton Middle School. “I’m going to make that point to Atlanta. This is Atlanta.”

About Bryan Johnson

Credits: Seeger Gray / [email protected]

Credits: Seeger Gray / [email protected]

Bryan Johnson is currently Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Strategy Officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC).

Johnson, 41, was hired to lead Hamilton County Schools in June 2017. He resigned in August 2021 with three years left on his contract. From there, he became chief transformation officer at logistics company US Xpress Enterprises Inc.

In 2021, Johnson, a Nashville native, was named Tennessee Superintendent of the Year and was a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year. He worked for 10 years in the Clarksville-Montgomery County school system, northwest of Nashville. Johnson attended Austin Peay State University, Belmont University and Trevecca University, where he earned a doctorate in educational leadership, according to his UTC bio.