Yolanda Johnson

Atlanta Board of Education, District 6

Background

My name is Yolanda Johnson, and I am a resident of the Adams Park Community of Atlanta.

Why I Continue to Serve

In 2009, I ran for for re-election to the Atlanta Board of Education because there’s still much work to be done to make our schools the #1 schools of choice for parents and children. I believe that Our Future is in Education. Through my involvement with the American Bar Association, I planned a Citywide Youth Summit for high school students. Together, we covered the waterfront of issues and concerns that students believe impact achievement. An expectation that they would fail was at the top of the list. Later that year, I served on a committee charged with redeveloping the curriculum for the Law and Government Magnet at Therrell High School. Those meetings and efforts gave me unique system insight, and first-hand knowledge of how even a small group of dedicated people can make differences in the lives of our children: our future.

These experiences led me to study issues that impact student achievement, to examine leadership and governance models, and to understand how schools are funded. I’ve talked with many friends and neighbors; we all agree that as a city, and as a country, Our Future is in Education.

As a city, we must have an effective public school system that prepares our next generation to serve and to lead our communities and our country. As a community we must embrace and support our public schools. Like many of you, I greatly appreciate my parents for their support and involvement in my education. Our school system is making great strides towards making high student achievement a reality. I believe my background and experience have prepared me to contribute greatly to the school reforms that have already begun. With the opportunity to serve on the Atlanta Board of Education as the District 6 Representative, I will keep the focus on the children because for Atlanta, Our Future is in Education, and the children are all that matter.

— Yolanda Johnson