Plenty of hugs to go around at Johnson’s retirement reception
Lauren Carlson, who will be the new assistant principal, hugs Susie Johnson on Tuesday. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
Susie Johnson has a trip planned to Costa Rica in June with church members and friends.
She wants to one day return to Paris, which she visited in 2019. In addition, she hopes to further explore her love for interior design and continue her work with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
But most of all, Johnson wants to relax.
“I haven't relaxed in 30 years, so I am looking forward to just relaxing,” she said.
Johnson, who announced her retirement in January, is in her final week as principal of Oglethorpe County High School. The school year ended this week and graduation is Saturday, which means her 33-year career in education, the final eight as principal at OCHS, will come to end.
Johnson was the guest of honor at a farewell ceremony in the school's media center on Tuesday. About 75 family, friends, coworkers, and current and past students, stopped by for hugs, tears and to say kind words about Johnson.
“She was an amazing mentor when I first moved into the office as a counselor,” OCHS counselor Melissa McGarity said. “We talked about anything and everything. She helped me through some personal stuff. She helped me grow closer to God and faith. I lost my mom 23 years ago, and she’s not old enough to be my mom, but she was in some ways, my motherly figure. She just fills a hole in my heart. She’s always been my biggest supporter at school. She’s always been very encouraging and supportive, a great listener.”
Board of Education Chair Becky Soto said Johnson has a special way of bonding with her students.
Each year Johnson speaks at graduation, where she has a tradition of noting something unique about that senior class. Soto said when her son graduated in 2019, it was about how that senior class was always singing.
“It is Johnson’s way of saying, I saw you and we bonded,” Soto said.
Johnson could have retired when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, however, she said it was tough for her to let go of her job. She wanted to wait until her grandson, who is a sophomore at OCHS, had graduated.
“Once I got to 30 years and I was like, do I really want to do this?” Johnson said. “I think that remaining here for the following three years has kind of helped me to see a little bit better, but it’s been difficult even this year to say I’m not going to do this again.”
Johnson said part of the reason she made the decision to retire is to give Bill Sampson, the assistant principal who will take over as principal, the opportunity to advance his career and move forward.
Sampson was one of several friends and associates who spoke at Johnson’s reception on Tuesday.
“She’s been an outstanding leader who has taught me an awful lot,” Sampson said. “I’m going to try to fill part of her shoes next year.”
Johnson doesn’t plan to completely abandon education.
Although her teaching days are over, she would love to stay in education in either consulting or another aspect.
Goals set, met
When Johnson accepted the role as principal eight years ago, she knew that there were three areas of need: the graduation rate, enhancing the athletic programs and maintaining a safe environment for students to learn.
In her time as principal, she and the OCHS faculty increased the graduation rate from the mid-70s to 94.2% this year. The state average is 84.1%.
Johnson said that the school’s athletic programs had won little at the start of her time. Now, she said all teams have achieved either region or state championships, as well as state playoff appearances.
“I attribute this to our coaching staff and athletic director,” Johnson said. “And a lot has changed on this administration. They’re grateful that I was able to foster those changes.”
Soto said Johnson brought a stabilizing factor to Oglethorpe County Schools at a time when there was turmoil and many parents were pulling their children out of the school system.
“Susie made people believe in Oglethorpe County again, and she is leaving a great legacy,” Soto said. “She led the way and we are respected now, externally and internally.”
Soto said Johnson changed the culture of the high school, which is obvious in academics, the graduation rate and the increase in championships.
Soto said Johnson’s retirement is bittersweet, but she has served the community and this is an exciting opportunity for Johnson to do something for herself.
Johnson said the best part of her job is being among the students and serving the staff. She hopes to have a positive impact on her students, and wishes them to remember everything she has instilled in them such as maintaining proper behavior in all situations.
“I thank the parents and partners in Oglethorpe County who have been so good for me, and I never would have been able to do this job had it not been for the partnerships that we’ve had with the parents, the board of education, Miss Levine, the staff,” said Johnson. “I mean, it has been amazing and the children that the parents have sent and the support that those parents have given me with their children has been phenomenal.”