Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, July 14, 2008

 "It was a true community school, a neighborhood school."

 That’s how many folks described Johnson Elementary, which is closing this spring and being replaced by the new $15 million William Wells Brown Elementary School in August.

  “While I was there, I experienced so much love for and from students, parents and staff. I never considered trying out another school,” said Margaret Cadle, who taught at Johnson for 26 years before retiring in 2006. “I felt needed and appreciated. … I always felt that the children were eager to learn and to please.”

  Teachers like Cadle really gave their all, said colleague Becky Sylvester, who has been at Johnson for 24 years.

  “I think the staff that put in a lot of years, it was because they truly wanted to be there,” said Sylvester, now the professional staff assistant. “The teachers were truly caring individuals.”

  And the students appreciated the time and effort.

  “They really thought they could count on the adults in this school to provide what was needed,” Sylvester said. “I can remember one little boy who told me he’d bet I’d make a really nice mother and he wished I was his mother. … It was flattering, but very sad.”

  Johnson originally was at Fourth and Limestone; the Sixth Street school was built 58 years ago. Early on, it was surrounded by upper-middle class, single-family homes. Through the years, a lot of those people moved out to suburbia.

  “The neighborhood has changed over the years, but it didn’t mean that the children were any less eligible for the best that education could get them,” said Pat Michaux, who was principal from 1985 to 2001.

  She cited various programs put in place to support the Johnson community, including the Family Resource Center, Healthy Kids Clinic and Early Start. The efforts got results, Michaux said, evident in students’ improved classwork and test scores.

  Johnson Elementary also encouraged adult literacy programs and GED classes for parents and hired some as assistants in the school.

  “At one time, we had two grandmothers who were cafeteria monitors. They were great role models,” Michaux said.

  Michele Sleet, who graduated from Henry Clay High School, later went on to college.

  “After working in the cafeteria and SAFE room, several teachers and Ms. Michaux encouraged me to further my education,” she said. “I am just really glad that I got involved with my children’s school and had such a positive experience that I wanted to go into teaching.”

  Johnson Elementary will be remembered for that spirit of support.