Dr. Sue Johnson, Savanna School District Superintendent

 It was on her first day of kindergarten that Dr. Johnson decided that she wanted to become a teacher, a goal that became a beacon for her educational career. The third oldest of seven siblings growing up in Pomona and Ontario, college
seemed unattainable, yet her goal of becoming a teacher remained.  Working part-time jobs through high school and college, and with the support of grants, she was able to become the first in her family to graduate from college, going on to receive her Masters Degree in School Administration from Cal State San Bernardino and her Doctorate in Education from USC.  As a first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about providing opportunities for all students to succeed and be on the path toward college and career readiness.

With a passion to help shape the next generation of learners and the future of public education, Dr. Johnson began her career as a teacher in Wrightwood, CA, where she taught third and fifth grades.  She served in the position of elementary school assistant principal and lecturer for California State University, San Bernardino. Dr. Johnson began working in the Savanna School District in 1990 as Curriculum Coordinator, and has served in Savanna since that time in the positions of Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and Superintendent of Schools.

She is passionate about supporting students and future teachers, giving back to her community and to Cal Poly Pomona in a myriad of ways.  After being named as a Distinguished Alumna for the School of Education and Integrative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona in 2005, Dr. Johnson was invited to join the recently formed Partners in Education (PIE) Board at Cal Poly, designed as a support Group for CEIS. During her tenure on the PIE Board, over 275 students have received financial support to complete their clinical practice, thus paying it forward to the next generation of teachers and students.  Her commitment to students and public education was recognized in both her selection as Orange County Superintendent of the Year in 2013 and the Buena Park Citizen of the Year in 2018.   She states, “It’s very fulfilling to be able to give back to future generations, giving others the same opportunities I’ve been given.  In my current position, I’ve been fortunate to ensure students have access to the best teachers, the best facilities, the most current technologies, and the best curricula possible, thus ensuring success for future generations.” 

Dr. Johnson has been married to her husband, Keith, for 40 years and is extremely proud of both of her daughters. Her oldest daughter is a Program Specialist in the University of Washington Study Abroad Program while her youngest daughter is in her eleventh year of teaching at the elementary level.  Along with her husband, daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren, Dr. Johnson enjoys traveling with the goal of visiting most of America’s National Parks.  Her advice to others is embodied in the quote by Confucius: ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’