As an Adjunct Professor at both Lewis & Clark College and at Marylhurst University, she taught Teacher Education Courses and provided professional development opportunities in Culturally Responsive Teaching. She conducted a MAT Field Study Program at Marylhurst University based on her Doctoral Dissertation: Development and Evaluation of a Culturally Responsive Teaching Professional Development Program: A Neighborhood Treasure Hunt. She has published articles in education journals and magazines.

Dr. Johnson served thirty-two years in the Portland Public School (PPS) District, as a high school math teacher, a high school and middle school principal, and member of the Superintendent’s Strategic Planning Team. Throughout her tenure dedicated to the children, families, and staff of PPS, she focused on education equity, academic excellence, and closing the achievement gap through professional development that examined teacher-student relationships, culture, caring, kindness, and belonging. She retired from PPS in 2003.

The Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE) is the current focus of Dr. Johnson’s volunteer work. She marked the successful conclusion of her three-year term as Chair of the ORABSE Retiree Committee. The major accomplishment during her term, was to lead her committee and the ORABSE and PPS Boards to complete a goal to re-name the District Headquarter Building in honor of Oregon’s first Black Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Prophet. Goal Accomplished!

Dr. Johnson earned a BS and MST in mathematics from the University of Oregon and Portland State University, respectively. She was recruited into and completed the Inaugural Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at Lewis & Clark College, earning a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.