Uncrowned Community Builders

Lois Johnson is proud to say that she is a life-long resident of Buffalo, New York.

She has been associated with the Buffalo School District as a student, parent, teacher, and administrator, retiring as a building principal after 34-years of service. Presently, Lois is an educational consultant to the Department of Diversity and Recruitment.

Mrs. Johnson has a B.A. in Elementary Education, M.S. in Learning and Behavioral Disorders, and a C.A.S. in School Administration, all from Buffalo State College.

Serving on a number of local Boards, Mrs. Johnson has an extensive involvement in the community with Bethel Head Start, My Brother's Keeper, Geneva B. Scruggs Health Center, St. Augustine's Center, Just Buffalo, Sankofa Charter School, and the King Center Charter School serving the past two years as Board President. Involved with many local, state, and national organizations, Lois is most proud of her leadership as president of the Metro Buffalo Alliance of Black School Educators. The organization, with a membership of over 6,500, is the largest network of African American Educators in the country dedicated to the achievement of all children especially those of African descent.

Following her retirement in 2000, Mrs. Johnson was invited to join the Teacher Recruitment Task Force of the Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural Education on the campus of Buffalo State College. She has served as its chair for the past four years, and is working diligently to support the Center's mission to enhance high-need urban and rural schools through recruitment, education, and retention of qualified effective educators.

Lois views herself as a lifelong learner who reads extensively and has traveled globally visiting schools in the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and South Africa. It was her visit to South Africa that was a life altering experience. Lois is a visionary and continues to be an advocate for parent involvement and school reform. "I feel all children can learn and many urban school districts often fail them when they continue to do what they have always done. Teaching in an urban school, although very challenging at times, can offer a rewarding and satisfying career to those individuals who are willing to work hard, understand, and appreciate urban school culture, have high student expectation, and see parents as educational partners."

Lois has been married to her husband Robert for 40-years. They are the parents of two children and five grandchildren.

Lois is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and second generation member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church where she continues to serve in a number of leadership roles.