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The Chelsea School Community
"I know now that being a principal is definitely what I was meant to do," revealed Karoline Johnson… and the Chelsea Public School is where she is doing it. The Jericho native did not always aspire to be a principal. She attended Johnson State College, then moved south and taught kindergarten, seventh, and second grade. As a teacher in North Carolina, she discovered that her interest spilled outside her classroom walls. "I just wanted to do more than I could do as a classroom teacher," she shared. She noticed students sitting in the hall when she felt they should receive more direct contact. She also saw teachers with great potential leaving the profession because, she felt, they weren’t receiving the support they needed. Johnson charted a course towards counseling. Once she entered the program in school administration, however, intending to focus on guidance, she found her real interest and aptitude. After completing a two-year program—one year of intensive study followed by a year as a "student principal"—Johnson returned to her native state and accepted a position as Assistant Principal at the K-8 Lyndon Town School. Pleasant, open and understated in manner, Johnson exudes a quiet assurance, despite her lack of high school experience. "The same skills I have used with middle school students will be really valuable at a high school level," she asserted, displaying confidence in her ability to deal with students and her communication skills with kids of all ages. Johnson looks forward to dealing with the age span of a K-12 environment. She envisions students helping students, older kids taking on responsibility, noting, "Having younger kids around, the older kids stop and think a little about their actions." She also loves the idea of a K-12 school in that students can form stronger relationships with their teachers, over time. Johnson doesn’t anticipate making any drastic changes right away. "I think it’s good to go in with an open mind and not with my own agenda," she said. "I want to get a feel for what people want: the teachers, the community, and the school board. From there I will form my own ideas." Johnson is excited to be a part of Chelsea. "I didn’t know much about the community before I started," she admits, "but I have been so impressed! People seem to walk around with smiles on their faces… The school is really the center of town." She has also been pleased that so many area residents, even those without school-aged children, have been eager to meet her and show concern for the school. Johnson will continue to live in Jericho for now, but is looking for a room to rent locally for some midweek stays. ____________ |
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