Mayor Appoints Rhonda Johnson as Columbus Education Director
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 19, 2014
For More Information:
Dan Williamson, Mayor’s Office, 645-5300
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Rhonda Johnson will be the City of Columbus’ director of
education beginning in June. Mayor Michael B. Coleman chose Johnson to serve as
the city’s fulltime point on education policy and investments and engage with
Columbus City Schools and the entire education community. As director, Johnson
will serve as an ex-officio member of the Columbus Board of Education with a
formal, recognized role in board meetings. The Columbus Education Commission
called for the mayor to appoint a director of education as part of his cabinet in
its recommendations issued last year. Johnson has been a Columbus City Schools
teacher since 1978 and has served as president of the Columbus Education
Association since 2004.
“This appointment demonstrates we are as committed as ever
to our kids’ education, and nobody understands the challenges facing our kids
and our schools better than a teacher,” Mayor Coleman said. “Throughout her
career, Rhonda has been an educator, a community leader and a reformer. She
will work with our schools and our entire community to give our kids the
education they deserve.”
An 11th grade banking and accounting teacher, Johnson is the
first woman and first African-American to serve as CEA president. She was among
the strongest voices for education reform on the Columbus Education Commission,
a twenty-five member body appointed by Mayor Coleman and City Council President
Andrew J. Ginther to recommend improvements for Columbus schools.
“I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve as an
education leader in the City of Columbus, and I look forward to the
implementation of the Columbus Education Commission’s recommendations,” Johnson
said. “By engaging with all stakeholders in our community, we can ensure that
all our students get a great education and become successful adults.”
Johnson received the CEA’s Helen Jenkins Davis Award,
presented to a Columbus teacher who has worked to promote social justice,
diversity and human rights. For her contributions to the United Way’s community
services programs, she received the Central Ohio AFL-CIO 2005 George Meany
Award. Johnson has been a member of the United Way of Central Ohio Board of
Trustees, Executive Committee, and Community Impact Council. She has also
served on the Campaign Cabinet, Operation Feed Cabinet. Additionally, Johnson
has been the labor representative and vice chair of the governing board of the
Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and on the advisory board of the Upward Bound Program
at The Ohio State University.
“Rhonda Johnson brings an extraordinary background in education to the
new position of Columbus Education Director,” said Councilmember Michelle M.
Mills, chair of Columbus City Council’s newly created Education Committee. “I look forward to working with Director
Johnson to provide Columbus City Schools children with the best education
possible.”