Judith Johnson

Judith A. Johnson was born in Brooklyn NY and raised in the Fort Greene Projects. She loved to read, and learned early on how having a good education could change your life. Judith excelled academically, and was often the only African- American female in many of her classes growing up. She eventually was awarded a full-ride to Brooklyn College. Then the emergence of one the most prominent educators was in full swing. Her teaching and leadership roles span four plus decades of her professional life. At the school district level she has worked as a teacher, guidance counselor, building administrator, an Assistant Superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and as a superintendent of schools . As superintendent she served the Peekskill City School District for ten years, appointed as the first woman and first African American to hold that position in the city. While in Peekskill she received the honor of being the first African-American Superintendent. Judith Johnson was appointed to the New York State Board of Regents in April of 2015 to represent Judicial District 9, a geographic span of five suburban counties that educate students enrolled in districts that range from largely economically impoverished to wealth school districts. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education under the Clinton Administration. She is survived by her children Pamela and Paul. She has a loving granddaughter Adhira­ Johnson-Miller. She has two beautiful sisters, Dawn Lockley and Pat Lucas. A host of cousins, Crystal Hopkins to name a few. She leaves behind a host of wonderful friends .