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Clara Johnson Day

April 27, 2005

Announcement Letter from Hunters Woods PTA:

It is with great pleasure that I inform you that Mrs. Clara Johnson, our Building Supervisor, has been named Fairfax County Support Employee of the Year 2005!! The announcement was made this morning to overwhelming excitement during the 5th and 6th grade dance performance. Today at Hunters Woods was also declared "Clara Johnson Day" and the 5th grade dance theme was centered around Mrs. Johnson. Thanks to all who contributed their personal stories and anecdotes, all who helped put together the nomination packet, and all who helped make today special for her. We should all be proud of her accomplishments and that she is such an important part of the Hunters Woods community. I hope you get a chance to congratulate her on this wonderful and well deserved honor. Channel 21 was at the school this morning filming the dance performance and interviews with Clara. Information will be forthcoming about programming and further recognitions for this award.

Cathy Uhrig

PTA President, Hunters Woods Elementary School

Announcement by Jack D. Dale, FCPS Superintendent of Schools:

Clara Johnson, building supervisor at Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, and Michelle Colwell, student information analyst in the Department in Information Technology, have been named Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) 2005 Support Employees of the Year. The announcement was made by FCPS Superintendent Jack D. Dale.

Johnson, a 29-year veteran of FCPS, has been building supervisor at Hunters Woods since 1979. She joined the custodial staff at the school in 1977; prior to that, she worked at Great Falls Elementary, Kilmer Middle, and Wolf Trap Elementary School. In 1982, Johnson was named Building Supervisor of the Year by FCPS.

Johnson is widely praised for her dedication to the school and students and for her positive, can-do attitude. From handling facility needs to keeping the building secure to making certain that things functioned seamlessly during the school's recent renovation, Johnson's leadership was cited by nominators as one of her main strengths. "Clara's diligence and leadership as a building supervisor is every principal's dream," said Hunters Woods principal Stephen Hockett." Our renovation was smooth because of Clara and her ability to focus and prioritize during the countless number of surprises that occur during the renovation of a building that has over 950 students."

The Hunters Woods PTA spearheaded the effort to nominate Johnson for FCPS Support Employee of the Year and received e-mails and letters of support from many members of the school staff and community. Teachers praise her for her thoroughness, cheerfulness, and ability to adapt to the task at hand. Teacher Lou Stefano says, "That Clara takes her job as building supervisor seriously goes without saying. However, she goes well beyond that role and is a member of our team to shape, mold, teach, mentor, minister, and support our kids. Frankly, I don't look at Clara as the 'building supervisor.' I look at her as a peer."

Johnson is also praised for her ability to keep a calm atmosphere in the cafeteria during lunchtime and for serving as a positive role model for students. "In our hectic lives, many incidents of kindness and going that extra step go unnoticed because there is no need to note it," says PTA member Katy Vickland. "In the case of Mrs. Johnson, there are far too many such acts for all of them to go unnoticed."


Everyone decorated "flat Mrs. Johnson".	Students waved them - the gym was covered with more!




Congratulatory messages were presented by Stephen Hockett, principal, Cathy Urhig and Maureen Becker, PTA officers.	Sylvia Auton, Director, Staff Development and Training, represented Fairfax County Administration.

Sixth and fifth grade students choreographed original dance routines.	Fifth grade students dedicated their dance compositions to Mrs. Johnson and the many jobs she accomplishes every day.