Danna Johnson has had an action-filled week in her last days as principal of Sutton Elementary School. She assisted with field day and joined the fifth graders on their reward trip to Holiday World, something she said was just what she needed — and what she would miss most when she retires at the end of this school year.
Johnson has been the principal at SES for the past nine years and said she is most proud of the Leader in Me and Lighthouse initiatives that are part of the school’s culture that has been instituted since she became the principal.
Both programs require a shift in philosophy and require student leadership, something Johnson finds empowering for students when they recognize their potential as leaders and responsible citizens.
“Kristin [Tines, Sutton’s guidance counselor] and I went to a Leader in Me symposium, and we just knew we needed this,” Johnson said. “Of course we had to get staff commitment.”
The buy-in for the programs has boosted leadership roles and student and staff initiative, and Johnson hopes that they continue after her retirement.
Johnson took an untraditional route to her position as principal. Her mother and grandmother were teachers, so she grew up in the field. But, she said, because she was in advanced classes as a student, she felt she needed to go into a career with more money. After working in an office job during her first summer in college, she realized that was not for her.
“I am a people person,” Johnson said.
Johnson worked at Newton Parrish Elementary School as an assistant while completing her education degree at Brescia University. She did her student teaching at Foust Elementary Schoool, taught at Estes Elementary School, was a curriculum facilitator at Owensboro Middle School, became an assistant principal of elementary instruction at Cravens Elementary School and then her current position as principal at SES.
Johnson said she provides a unique perspective to the Owensboro Public School system because she has been in each elementary school and in varying positions.
With a master’s degree as a reading specialist, Johnson enjoyed being a professional development facilitator in the district and her interest in curriculum development led to more administrative roles at OMS for five years and Cravens for four years.
Krista Thompson has been a teacher and assistant principal at Sutton while Johnson has been principal and said she feels very blessed to have worked with her. She said Johnson is the true definition of a leader and gives her heart and soul to the students, staff, and families at Sutton.
“She has built a strong culture of high expectations and excellence that I hope to carry on,” Thompson said. “I have big shoes to fill but hope to continue on with her legacy.”
Rachael Roberts has taught for 10 years at Sutton, and nine with Johnson as principal. She said she has had the privilege of watching Johnson’s leadership and although she assumed the role of administrator, she never quit teaching and always remained a teacher at heart.
“I’ll always remember the unique ability Danna had to connect with students when they needed it the most,” Roberts said.
Roberts said Johnson’s overwhelming love and passion for the children at Sutton and her constant poise, composure, focus and determination is what she admires about Johnson.
As principal, Johnson said she often worked nightly from home to make sure all of the needs of the faculty and students were met and on weekends, she still worked. She is excited to spend more time with her family, which will include travel. In fact, she and her husband David already have trips planned.
“I am really close with my family, and I miss that when I am working,” Johnson said. “I also hope to improve my golf game and learn the basics of tennis. I also hope to take care of myself.”
Johnson said without question, the interaction with the students is what she will miss most.
On the last day of school during the fifth-grade graduation ceremony, the Sutton chorus sang an original song and was also presented with framed artwork signed by all current Sutton students.
She is very proud to have been an OPS employee and graduate of OPS, and she wants that for her kids, too.
“I bleed OPS. I am a product of the system,” Johnson said. “I graduated from OHS, which is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
