High school principal named one of the nation's best
SPARTA — Dr. Dan Johnson, principal of Sparta High School, was recently selected as a 2012 National Distinguished Principal.
The 2012 celebration marks the 28th year of this prestigious award. The annual National Distinguished Principals Program (NDP Program) was established in 1984 to recognize principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement and character for the students, families, and staff in their learning community
Johnson was nominated and selected by his fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the New Jersey Principal and Supervisor Association.
A graduate of Jefferson Township High School, Keene State College in NH, and Seton Hall University, Johnson previously held the position of principal in Chester, assistant principal in Livingston, and English supervisor and teacher at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
"At the helm of every successful school is a successful principal," said Gail Connelly, the program's Executive Director. "Our National Distinguished Principals program provides us with an opportunity to recognize the outstanding leadership of these principals and their commitment to creating successful learning communities. Because of them, students thrive academically, teachers grow professionally, and communities are strengthened."
Johnson recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for two days of activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the educators chosen by the states, the District of Columbia, plus private and overseas schools.
Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.
Johnson was also recently named New Jersey's Visionary Leader/Principal of the Year by NJPSA. During his career, he has been named to the national Who's Who among America's Teachers program three times.
Upon graduating from Jefferson, Johnson received a full athletic scholarship to play basketball at Keene State in New Hampshire.
Johnson and his wife, Lori, live in Oak Ridge, and have two children, Anthony and Matthew. Lori is a teacher in the Jefferson Township School system.
The National Distinguished Principals program is made possible through the corporate sponsorship of VALIC, an active supporter of NAESP for nearly two decades. For more than half a century, VALIC has served as a leading plan provider for K-12 schools, higher education and healthcare institutions and manages plans for nearly 25,000 groups, serving nearly two million plan participants.