Name: Dr. Melinda B. Johnson
Role: Principal
School: J.P. Ryon Elementary School
District: Charles County Public Schools
State: Maryland
“SEL is important to me as an educator and as a human being because it is the fiber of life and foundation of all subjects. Without it, nothing else much exists. The connection with one’s own emotions as it relates to their socialization and other aspects of life is a direct indicator of one’s future. Ask yourself, ‘Where am I now? Where do I want to go? and Where have I been?’. Your future is driven from your present actions. Your present relies on your social and emotional learning and the support provided that address your past adversity.”
Dr. Melinda B. Johnson, principal at J.P. Ryon Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland has amassed over 24 years in private, public and charter schools. She has served as a primary school principal, on the chief academic office team for the Marion P. Thomas Charter School District in Newark, New Jersey, acting principal of Union County TEAMS in Plainfield, New Jersey, director of instruction for Knowledge Point Learning Center and began her career in education as an elementary teacher in Baltimore City, Maryland where she received an Outstanding Educator Award. A fun fact, while teaching in Baltimore Dr. Johnson was also a professional cheerleader for the NFL Baltimore Ravens; she was excited for the opportunity to return to Maryland to serve J.P. Ryon’s scholars, parents, families, staff and community.