Principal Johnson has spent 23 years in education and the last 17 years with National Heritage Academies, yet she’s most excited about this moment right now. “I am an instructional leader but it’s much more than my job…it’s my calling” she says.
Coming to Metro Charter from Atlanta Heights Charter in Georgia, Principal Johnson is ready to show her commitment to the students and parents here, “I’m not going anywhere” she says with conviction. Her journey back to her Michigan roots is filled with anticipation. Having worked as a teacher, a dean, corporate learning instructor, and most currently an English Language Arts Specialist — all within the NHA organization — her role as Principal is a clear choice for everyone involved.
She remembers the day her passion for teaching and working with children was set in motion. After graduating from MSU with a communications degree, she was working at a large advertising agency. One day the agency announced a major downsizing and she found herself without a job. “That very day, I was feeling uncertain about what to do next and I happened upon the Oprah Winfrey show and heard her say, ‘Someone, right now watching this is doing something they weren’t born to do, you need to walk in your purpose.’ That moment I knew what I needed to do.”
The next morning, Kimberly Johnson went to the administration building at Detroit Public Schools and said, “What can I do to start teaching here?” Within a day, she was called to substitute and she loved every minute of it. She continued subbing and went back to school to earn her degree in education. Twenty-three years later, she still looks forward to every single day.
Coming to Metro Charter from Atlanta Heights Charter in Georgia, Principal Johnson is ready to show her commitment to the students and parents here, “I’m not going anywhere” she says with conviction. Her journey back to her Michigan roots is filled with anticipation. Having worked as a teacher, a dean, corporate learning instructor, and most currently an English Language Arts Specialist — all within the NHA organization — her role as Principal is a clear choice for everyone involved.
She remembers the day her passion for teaching and working with children was set in motion. After graduating from MSU with a communications degree, she was working at a large advertising agency. One day the agency announced a major downsizing and she found herself without a job. “That very day, I was feeling uncertain about what to do next and I happened upon the Oprah Winfrey show and heard her say, ‘Someone, right now watching this is doing something they weren’t born to do, you need to walk in your purpose.’ That moment I knew what I needed to do.”
The next morning, Kimberly Johnson went to the administration building at Detroit Public Schools and said, “What can I do to start teaching here?” Within a day, she was called to substitute and she loved every minute of it. She continued subbing and went back to school to earn her degree in education. Twenty-three years later, she still looks forward to every single day.
Principal Johnson says, “learning is always happening here and that’s our expertise, but creating a space of grace for each student allows them to excel and grow at all levels.” More than anything she wants her students to know they are safe here. Not just physically, but emotionally safe — to make mistakes and learn from them, to share their thoughts, to be their true self, and to take on new challenges.” The work that has been done at Metro Charter will continue to grow, and Principal Johnson brings a new level of reassurance and commitment to the students, parents, staff, and community. “I’ve always been a woman of my word but it’s my job to make it happen, so you can see it.”
Oprah would love to see that a young advertising professional ‘found her purpose’ and is now grateful to help children learn, grow, and have fun at school every single day.
Check out a school near you!
About Metro Charter Academy
Metro Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Romulus, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Visit Metro Charter Academy's blog to read more stories like this.