The school community of West New York is mourning the loss of one of their most revered educators.
After serving the district for over 30 years, Sharon Johnson died from health complications last Sunday at Englewood Hospital. She is survived by her mother, her son Michael and his wife Usma, and her grandson Rahman.
Since 2006, Johnson had been serving as the principal of the alternative education program at Memorial High School, but had served the district in many different capacities throughout her career. She left a lasting impression on all the lives she touched.
Superintendent of schools Dr. Robert Van Zantan worked with Johnson earlier in her career in West New York, and most recently with his return to the district as superintendent.
“She was as committed now as she was then to the children,” said Van Zantan. “Everything was always for the children.”
First-rate educator
Originally from Kansas City, Johnson moved all over the United States while growing up since her father worked for the government. Johnson eventually moved to West New York as an adult and raised her son in town.
Johnson worked for 31 years in the West New York school district. She was first employed as an elementary school teacher in 1977, and then became the coordinator for the Gifted and Talented Program in 1982. She also served in several other capacities, such as supervisor of the Adult Education Program.
In 1985, Johnson was first made assistant principal of Harry L. Bain School, and later that year became an elementary school principal. For the past several years she served as principal for several of West New York’s schools, including Public School No. 3 and Harry L. Bain School.
“The schools under her were always well-administered and had a great deal of success,” said Van Zantan. Under her administration, School No. 3 was one of three schools in the state that won the Title 1 National Award.
“Every school in the nation is eligible for consideration, but it’s very difficult to earn that accolade,” said Rosemary Donnelly, assistant superintendent. “She was the first coordinator of the Gifted and Talented Program, and the model we follow today is the one she [implemented].”
Most recently, she served as principal of the Alternative Education Program at Memorial High School, working with at-risk kids to make sure they finished high school.
“Even coming back, and not finding her in very good health, she was so focused,” said Van Zantan. “Our meetings were always about how we could improve and bring the kids into the mainstream.”
She began working in the program in July of 2006. Last year, 30 students graduated from the program. “She was like a proud parent with every one of those kids,” said Van Zantan.
“She leaves a void in this district,” said Donnelly.
Children first
Among her longtime friends and colleagues – including elementary school principals Patrick Gagliardi and Israel Rodriguez – Johnson will always be remembered as an effective and strong-willed teacher.
“She was the principal of No. 3 School the second year I started teaching,” said Gagliardi, principal of No. 4 School. “I worked with her for many years and she mentored me as I became a supervisor and administrator.”
According to Gagliardi, a first meeting with Johnson was a bit intimidating, but once a person got to know her, he or she would understand what drove her.
And what drove her more than anything was helping children succeed.
“I remember her as a leader, a positive role model, and someone who cared greatly for the well-being of her students,” said Gagliardi. “She was always looking for ways to improve the education of the students, and was willing to take chances on new ideas.”
Johnson also mentored Gagliardi as he studied and trained to be an administrator.
“She encouraged me to continue with my education and get involved with things outside the classroom,” said Gagliardi. “Everybody was her student.”
“We worked for four years together [at No. 3 School] and that brought our friendship to its present state,” said Israel Rodriguez, principal of No. 5 School. “When I worked with her, I saw the soft side of her, and she couldn’t stand seeing kids in need.”
Rodriguez remembers Johnson above all was an advocate for children who lived in poverty, were abused, or were discriminated against. According to Rodriguez, Johnson always took an active role in her students’ lives. She made sure they ate, and if she suspected something was wrong, she never hesitated in calling the Division of Youth and Family Services.
“She cared a lot about kids and taught them to respect themselves, and they respected her,” said Rodriguez. According to Rodriguez, although to some it seemed that Johnson was very strict and hard lined, in the end the students realized it was only for their benefit. Rodriguez said she was also very firm when it came to the dress code, and never allowed such trends like pants hanging below the hips in the school.
“She would say, ‘Snoop Doggy Dog does not go to this school,'” said Rodriguez.
Johnson had high standards for her teachers and staff, and was always appreciative of their hard work.
One year, while at No. 3 School, the school did so well that both she and Rodriguez received end of the year bonuses, which they used to take the whole staff of the school to a thank you dinner.
World traveler and dear friend
Rodriguez first met Johnson when she was coordinator for the Gifted and Talented Program, which his own child attended.
However it was in 1998, when Johnson was made principal of No. 3 School that the two had the opportunity to work together, and became good friends. At that time, Rodriguez was vice principal of the school.
“It has been a loss for me, because she was a very good friend, very loyal, and always looking out for my best interest,” said Rodriguez. “She was my mentor, my friend, and my benefactor.”
Rodriguez and Johnson became very dear friends, and would spend time with each other’s families.
“She was very close to my wife and used to come to my house for dinner,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said that Johnson traveled internationally throughout her adult life.
Throughout her travels abroad, Johnson was able to visit locations such as the Amazon and the Great Wall of China. She has traveled throughout Europe, South America, and just this past summer visited Hong Kong.
“She knew [all the best restaurants] in the world,” said Rodriguez. “She loved to eat and she loved to travel.”
“She loved good wine and champagne, and rich food was her undoing,” he added. “She lived for her son and her grandson, but her friends were all up here in Hudson County.”
After the summer, Johnson had been in the hospital more frequently over the last month, and during one of Rodriguez’s visits at the end of August, he tried to encourage his friend to slow down and retire.
However, Johnson kept working for kids and what she believed in until the end.
“She was hard working and very stubborn right to the end,” said Rodriguez. “She loved kids and she loved justice.”
“She was very humble in her own way,” said Donnelly. “She was one of the most principled people I ever worked with,” said Donnelly, who started working for the district at the same time. “If she believed strongly in something no one could sway her.”
“The outpouring of support and sympathy to her family is touching, and really confirms how many people’s lives she’s touched,” said Gagliardi. To comment on this piece, e-mail Jessica Rosero at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com