Dan Johnson Named National Distinguished Principal

One of what Dan Johnson describes as the most touching moments of his career came recently when he returned to school after a three-week leave due to back surgery. The Jefferson resident and principal of Chester’s Bragg School found a pleasant surprise when he came back to school.

“The kids had decorated my office and the front foyer of the school to welcome me back,” Johnson said. “They all wore t-shirts with adjectives that they thought described me, and they all came to see me all day long. It was a great way to come back.”

Another pleasant surprise he received upon his return was news that he had won the honor of National Distinguished Principal from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). It’s a title he’s still getting used to. This award comes on the heels of his r

“It’s still sinking in a little bit,” Johnson said. “Everything we do around here we do as a team, so it’s hard for me to accept an individual award.”

It’s that sense of community that has guided Johnson throughout his career. Having started his career as a teacher, he had the opportunity to become a department supervisor, and then a principal.

“I found I could make a lot more changes as a principal,” he said. “More kids could get what they deserve.”

Johnson said that even though the principal’s office generally has a bad reputation, he continually tries to change that. And the scare factor doesn’t seem to work on Johnson.

“The kids have never been afraid of me,” he said. “I think they know I have their best interests at heart, and I think they’re not jaded yet, so they tend to see the good in people.”

Johnson tries to always remind the children that they are good people, even when he has to discipline them.

“I tell the kids that they’ve made a bad decision and every bad decision has a consequence,” he said. “But I also remind them that what they’ve done doesn’t change my perception of them.”

Even when dealing with parents, Johnson maintains that same positive and respectful attitude.

“I always try to keep in mind that they are going to try and advocate for their child the same way that I would for mine,” Johnson said. “I try to look at things from their point of view. For the most part that works.”

Johnson is a lifelong Jefferson resident. He graduated from in 1991 and still lives in town with his wife Lori, a teacher at White Rock School, and their two boys, ages 10 and 12.