Denille Johnson has spent nearly 30 years as a teacher, associate principal and assistant principal in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) State Agency Schools. Now, she will be running the network in charge of educating students in state care as the new principal of State Agency Schools.
“It is an honor and a blessing to serve as the State Agency Principal,” Johnson said. “As the principal, I will continue the vision to provide all students with robust and diverse opportunities within a safe, collaborative, and student-centered environment where each student develops socially, emotionally, and academically.”
Johnson is currently an assistant principal of State Agency Schools, overseeing the teaching and learning at the Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Since 2013, she has also been an assistant or associate principal at three other state agency schools - Boys and Girls Haven, St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, and The Brook - KMI School - and was a teacher in six others from 1996 to 2012.
“Ms. Johnson has spent almost three decades in State Agency Schools, and she is eager to take on this new role as a way to continue to support the students and staff that she loves so deeply,” said Jessica Rosenthal, assistant superintendent of academic achievement. “Her self-proclaimed ‘participative leadership style’ is a great fit for the important collaboration that must occur among our State Agency Schools and with our excellent treatment partners.”
JCPS’ 11 State Agency schools and one special school provide an education for school-age children at residential and day treatment centers and work collaboratively with treatment partners to provide a therapeutic and rehabilitative school environment.
“The priorities of our dynamic State Agency Team will continue to be aligned with providing instructional support and leadership that are focused on the JCPS Three Pillars (Journey to Success, Racial Equity, and Culture & Climate) and Six Systems,” Johnson said. “We will work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure high quality instruction for ALL State Agency children.”
Johnson’s first day as principal is Monday, June 24.