State's top superintendent is NV's Mark Johnson

Mark Reimers
Tribune reporter

Mark Johnson

EVERSON -- The Washington Association of School Administrators announced Friday that Mark Johnson, superintendent of the Nooksack Valley School District, has been honored as its 2009 Superintendent of the Year.
  In a press release from the organization, Johnson’s award is attributed to his leadership, dedication, and commitment to the success of everyone within the district.
  Other reasons cited for the award are improvements in student achievement across the district, accomplishments and recognition of schools and principals, and also numerous grants and opportunities awarded to the district. These include a District Gates Foundation Grant in 2002, a Gates High School Grant in 2007, and, most recently, a District Leadership in Early Childhood Gates Foundation Grant.
  Johnson will represent Washington state at the yearly meeting of the American Association of School Administrators this February in San Francisco, where he will be one of the 50 superintendents eligible for the National Superintendent of the Year honor.
  However, Johnson said in an interview he doesn’t feel nearly as honored to represent the state as he does in representing the Nooksack Valley School District, as he has for the last 15 years as superintendent.
  “It’s a team sport,” he said. “The head coach doesn’t get this kind of recognition without an amazing team.”
  Johnson, who received his masters in education degree from Eastern Washington University and did his post-graduate work in education at the University of Washington, is currently an instructor for the Washington State Leadership Academy. He is an active member of the American Association of School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Washington Association of School Administrators.
  Johnson is also actively involved with The Opportunity Council/Center for Children and Families Partnership, Executive Coaching for the Gates Foundation and a board member for both Whatcom Community and Family Network and Whatcom County Communities in School.
  E-mail Mark Reimers at reporter@lyndentribune.com.