Nooksack Valley leader named state superintendent of year

KIRA MILLAGE - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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NOOKSACK - Nooksack Valley School District Superintendent Mark Johnson is the new state superintendent of the year.

But the longtime local superintendent is quick to pass along the kudos to the entire district.

"The district received an award," said Johnson, who has been the superintendent of the rural district since the 1993-94 school year. "It's just got my name attached to it."

| PHILIP A. DWYER | THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Johnson received the award Friday, Nov. 21, at the Washington Association of School Administrator's conference in Spokane. He will represent Washington state at the National Superintendent of the Year contest in late February.

"It's kind of a mix of feelings of humbled and honored at the same time," Johnson said. "I'm humble because I know this is a team sport. Coaches don't get this kind of recognition without a great team.

"At the same time I'm honored to represent the superintendents of the state," he said.

Johnson, who was nominated for the award by four people, graduated with his master's in education from Eastern Washington University and did his post-graduate work at the University of Washington. He is also an instructor at the Washington State Leadership Academy, an organization created in 2007 to help teachers and administrators increase their leadership skills.

The school administrators association selected Johnson for the award based on increasing student achievement, the district's ability to procure grants and his involvement in numerous educational groups and outside agencies.

Johnson has been instrumental in getting support for early childhood education and English Language Learners programs. In addition to his duties as superintendent, he's involved with the Opportunity Council/Center for Children and Families Partnership, Executive Coaching for the Gates Foundation, the Whatcom Community and Family Network and Whatcom County Communities in School.

"Frankly I'm honored to represent Nooksack Valley," Johnson said. "I'm really proud of the work being done here."