Kenny Johnston – Hoboken Educator, Athlete And Leader

By Dennis Sevano

In 1944, Hoboken School No. 6, located uptown at 11th Street and Willow Avenue, was renamed Wallace School in honor of three brothers who lost their lives in World War II: Lt. Commander Daniel J. Wallace of the Navy Air Force, Lt. William F. Wallace of the Army Air Force and Ensign James Myron Wallace of the Marine Air Force. The renaming was championed by Dudley Scholsser, a World War II veteran and voice of Old Hoboken.

Students who attended the old School No. 6 fondly remember those dedicated educators who shaped their early years. As a K-8 institution, Wallace fostered a strong sense of identity, belonging and safety- serving as both a nurturing environment and a place of learning. Unlike other elementary schools of its time, Wallace stood out for its oversized asphalt playground, which became a training ground for future athletes such as Billy Culhane, Larry Avitabile, Rafael Castillo and Frank & Thomas O’Connell.

Out of the sporting mix of uptown Wallace, Kenny Johnston appeared, one of three children. While Kenny remained as a son of Hoboken, his brother, John went into the Navy and sister, Karen became a teacher moving to South Carolina. All three walked through the halls of Wallace School. Looking back, Kenny commended teachers like Ms. Heath, Ms. Smith and Mr. Coleman for laying the groundwork at old No. 6.

Ken Johnston continued his education at Demarest and later at Hoboken High School, where his athletic talents flourished, particularly in baseball and basketball. He had the good fortune of playing alongside standout Red Wing Athletes such as John Wendelken, Bobby Lisa, Mike Costello, Dennis O’Brien, Bobby Wendelken, Milt Goggins and Ed Stinson. Remarkably, each of these teammates went on to become captains of their respective college teams after graduating from Hoboken.

This vital group of linchpin athletes extended to include Ed Groomes, Ralph “Spider” Coleman, John Meeks, and Frank Bartletta, and led to Mr. Johnston playing on two championship squads in baseball and basketball in the early ‘60’s , sneaking in an MVP and Captain’s honor in his senior year in baseball.

He followed the likes of Vincent Ascolese, Peter Vecchio and Walter Fine - all cornerstones of the Red Wing tradition. He attended Upsala College in East Orange (1899-1995) where he had moderate success as a pitcher. After graduation, Ken landed a position as a teacher in the Hoboken School System, later earning his master’s degree at Jersey City State College.

Ken taught social studies from 1968 to 1980 and when the position of Department Head became available, he applied, and - to his surprise - secured the position. His leadership potential was quickly recognized, especially through his planning and application for the Harvard Model Congress, a prestigious program offering his students a dynamic hands-on experience through government simulation, learning how to debate and gaining a fuller understanding of how Congress operates. His influence extended beyond the classroom, organizing trips to Boston with fellow educator Julia Ortiz, where students toured historical sites, broadened their perspectives and deepened their appreciation for civic engagement.

Through his daily teaching and support for fellow social studies instructors, Ken was invited by Superintendent Dr. Edwin Duroy and Hoboken High School Principal Charles Tortorella to contribute to a new academic initiative. After a rigorous approval process, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program was launched—an internationally recognized curriculum designed to challenge students with demanding coursework and critical thinking, preparing them for college and beyond. Mr. Johnston played a pivotal role in what many considered a secondary academic challenge, extending beyond the scope of traditional Advanced Placement courses and involving a select group of students and staff.

During Ken’s tenure of over 37 years in Hoboken Public Education, he not only served as department head, but he also led the core component of the Harvard Model Congress, the IB initiative, and later served as President of the Hoboken Teacher Association. The late Marine Veteran and Athletic Director, Frank Scott encouraged Ken to assume coaching of the tennis and bowling teams - for both the Boys' and Girls' teams. Tennis was the key to his coaching success for 20 years from the late ‘70s to the ‘90s.

From Wallace School to Demarest, to Hoboken High School to Upsala College and Jersey City State College, Ken Johnson retired from the school district. However, his career had one more stop: The Superintendent of the Pequannock School district asked Ken to serve as a Supervisor of Instruction in the face of high teacher turnover, where he served for two years from 2005-2007.

Now fully at ease, Ken splits his time between Tampa, Florida and Manchester, New Jersey with his wife Anne and five grandchildren.

Memories of days gone-by, can be activated by the smallest of triggers: “A song, a scent, a place’’ - and I am back in Hoboken with Ken Johnston - talking about the Constitution and USA ‘s 250th birthday.

Reaching back to the days at Wallace School: “You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Dr. Suess

Dennis Sevano was born and raised in Hoboken. He writes frequently about sports figures and notables in the Mile Square City. He currently resides in Teaneck.