Bragg's Principal Johnson Wins National Award

The view from Dr. Dan Johnson's desk is a pretty good one. 

The principal of the was recently awarded  

He recovered from back surgery that sidelined him for three weeks.

And now, his work at the Bragg School has been recognized nationally as Johnson has been named National Distinguished Principal from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

Of course, that isn't what Johnson wants to talk about.

Johnson wants to talk about his kids.

And he doesn't mean the 10 and 12-year-old boys he shares with wife Lori, although he loves talking about them as well, he means his kids at Bragg.

Johnson describes one of the most touching moments of his career, and it had nothing to do with awards or titles. It came his first day back from school after surgery. 

“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.”

Humbled by all of the attention, Johnson is quick to share the credit with everyone he works with.

“Everything we do around here we do as a team," Johnson said. "So it’s hard for me to accept an individual award.”

That attitude is a familiar one to Johnson's boss, Chester Superindendent Christina Van Woert. Van Woert and Johnson share similar views, Van Woert having spent years as a principal in Cranford before taking on the role of Johnson's predecessor at Bragg. 

"I hired him as my replacement," Dr. Van Woert said. "And he has done a fantastic job."

Van Woert is a very hands on super. In fact, she often refers to herself as first among teachers rather than as an administrator. Both Van Woert and Johnson spend time in classrooms, in assemblies and have as much one to one contact as they can.

And Johnson has been like that throughout his career. As a teacher and as a coach he was known for putting in extra hours and always having his door open to students, as a department supervisor, Johnson believed in team input and consensus when problem solving,  and as principal, Johnson is continues to infuse that same philosophy into a role with more influence.

“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 although he cuts an imposing figure, scare tactics were never part of Johnson's strategy.

“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.”

When faced with a principal that stands halfway to seven feet and built like a professional football player, that might seem far-fetched, but watch Johnson interact with students for five minutes and it is easy to see how its done.

Its the smile behind his eyes when he connects on a point with them. Its the approving tone, nod and microgestures when a student is responding to the message. And it is the positive reinforcement of the student's character, and condemnation of their behavior that makes discipline work at Bragg.

“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 will receive his award officially in October, but if you ask him he will be the first to tell you he already has the award that matters to him most.

The view from his desk.

And its a pretty good view.