Board of Education

Seat 9: Emmett Johnson

Mr. Johnson has proven that he is a person dedicated to making a positive difference. He is committed to serving the need of our youth. He is knowledgeable about educational issues. As a member of the Atlanta Board of Education, Mr. Johnson:

Received the 2009 Richard A Green Award- The Richard R. Green Award the nation’s highest honor for urban education leadership, at the Council of the Great City Schools 2009 Fall conference. The Council represents 66 of the largest urban school districts in the nation, educating 7.1 million students. The Green Award is named in honor of the first African-American chancellor of the New York City school system, who had also headed Minneapolis Public Schools. As the recipient of the Richard Green Award, Johnson received a $10,000 college scholarship to present to a high school senior of his choice in the Atlanta Public Schools or from his high school alma mater.

Served as Vice-Chair of the Board (2006-2008)
Has been appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the Master Teacher & Academic Coach Implementation Committee (July 2005)
Served as Chair of the Atlanta Board of Education (2003)
Chaired the Community Support for School Reform and Innovations Ad Hoc Committee (Year 2000)
Chaired the Board Development/Board Retreat Task Force (Year 2002)
Serves on the Facilities Master Plan Oversight Commission and the Parent and Family Involvement Task Force
Is a member of the 2001 Georgia School Boards Association Governmental Operations Committee
Is a member of the Georgia School Boards Association Nominating Committee for the selection of the Association's President, President Elect, and Treasurer (2000 - 2001)
Serves as delegate to the Georgia School Boards Association (2001)
Serves as a representative to Metro RESA (2001)

Through his work with PTAs, community groups and various task forces of the Atlanta Public Schools (APS), Mr. Johnson has listened to the concerns of principals, teachers, parents, students, and constituents. He has worked to solve problems and strengthen lines of communication on behalf of our students and teachers.

PTA officer for 16 years
Past Chairman of the Metropolitan Regional Educational Service Agency's (Metro RESA) Board of Control
Past President of the Atlanta Council of PTAs
Past President of Douglass High School PTSA
Past President of Collier Heights Elementary School PTA
Coach of Little League Baseball for 14 years
Served as Larchmont/Kildare Community Club Treasurer
Served on the Advisory Board of Cascade Youth Organization
Chaired the Education Committee of the Douglass High Cluster of the Atlanta Project
Member of the Steering Committee of the Douglass High Cluster
Served on the Youth & Educational Advisory Committee for the 1996 Paralympic Games
Co-chaired the Election Coalition for Atlanta Neighborhoods

Additionally, Mr. Johnson serves (or has served) on several committees that have significant implications for the future of our youth in the Atlanta Public Schools:

Advisory Committee on AIDS and Sex Education for APS
Athletic Advisory Committee of APS
Board of Directors for the Norman H. Thomas Scholarship Fund
APPLE Corps Advisory Board
Good Government Atlanta Committee for Education/Schools
Advisory Board of the School/Church Collaborative of APS
Systemwide Task Force on Violence Reduction in APS
Dwight Jones' Southside Healthcare Medical Terminology Spelling Bee Advisory Board

Mr. Johnson knows the value of a strong family life and good education. Married for 33 years to Gwendolyn Miller Johnson, he is the father of two Atlanta Public Schools graduates. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Master of Science Degree in Urban Law and Criminal Justice. Employed with the State of Georgia for 31 years, retiring as the Program Director in the Office of Legal Services for the Department of Medical Assistance, Mr. Johnson has mastered the technique of research, investigations, evaluation, negotiation and planning; skills which are needed by members of the Board of Education.