Honor Sandra Johnson’s Retirement

June 30, 2018 WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Sandra Johnson upon the occasion of her retirement after 12 years of distinguished service to the Livingston Manor Central School District; and WHEREAS, Sandra Johnson earned her degree from Bloomsburg State Teacher's College in 1962; she received her master's degree in Guidance Counseling from Alfred University and later, furthered her education by obtaining a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration from SUNY Cortland; and WHEREAS, Sandra Johnson began her long and illustrious career in education as a business teacher at Painted Post Central School District; after 19 years, she became the Senior Guidance Counselor for Horseheads Central School; and WHEREAS, In 1986, Sandra Johnson assumed the title of Assistant Principal with Waverly Central School; a year later, she took an Assistant Principal position in Corning, New York; she then returned to Waverly Central School where she served as the Junior/Senior High School Principal; and WHEREAS, Sandra Johnson's next role was Principal of the Bath Middle School; after 11 years of service, she retired in 1999; shortly thereafter, she realized it was not for her, and went back to work, holding several interim positions until she became the Principal of the Livingston Manor Elementary School in 2006; and WHEREAS, Sandra Johnson then held the title of Principal of Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12; for the last three years, she has served as Principal of Livingston Manor Middle/High School, the position from which she will officially retire at the end of the school year on Saturday, June 30, 2018; and WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Sandra Johnson has accomplished numerous goals such as turning teacher centered classrooms into learner centered classrooms, and introducing Socratic seminars at the high school; and WHEREAS, In addition, Sandra Johnson truly believed that each and every student in the District should be taught necessary skills to succeed in college and once they enter the workforce; students learned such lifelong skills as how to successfully run meetings, write proposals and agendas, and create a PowerPoint presentation; and WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to the young people of Livingston Manor Central School District, Sandra Johnson was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including Educator of the Year Award, and 50-Year Achievement Award by the Mid-Hudson School Council; and WHEREAS, Sandra Johnson's loyalty to the district and to her staff is truly admirable; all who have had the privilege to work with her through the years have known her to be an honest and hard-working Principal who always made the needs and concerns of her students her top priority; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Ryann Johnson; their three children, Elizabeth Gordon, Mary Margaret Slack and William Zaidel; and four grandchildren, Anna Suzanne, Jacob, Camden and Kyle, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her accomplishments; and WHEREAS, The driving force behind Sandra Johnson's commitment to public education is her belief that all children have the potential to do great things if given the opportunity; she prides herself on creating an educational environment where students come first and expectations are high; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Sandra Johnson upon the occasion of her retirement after 12 years of distinguished service to the Livingston Manor Central School District on June 30, 2018, and to wish her continued success in all her future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Sandra Johnson.