Kenneth Johnson, Sr.

Kenneth D. Johnson Sr. is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. He is currently a senior Army instructor teaching JROTC at South Gwinnett High School. he has over two decades of experience teaching, believes that every student, regardless of background, ability or experience, has the potential to grow into a confident leader, responsible citizen and contributing member of their community. Johnson's philosophy is rooted in the core values of respect, discipline, integrity and service which is the foundation of both military leadership and lifelong success. He has consistently used a foundational strategy he calls "look, listen, learn and observe." This approach is introduced at the very beginning of each academic year and reinforced daily throughout the course. It serves as a behavior and cognitive guide for students to stay present, engaged and proactive in their learning both in the classroom and across their entire academic experience. Together, these four actions develop self-awareness, critical thinking and personal responsibility skills that extend beyond the classroom into leadership roles, personal relationships, and future careers. Johnson is not just a teacher but also a mentor and role model who hold himself accountable to the sane standards he expects from his students which is commitment, respect and continuous improvement. His mission is to help all students graduate not just with knowledge, but with character, skills and confidence to succeed in any path they choose.

Johnson routinely uses both formative and summative assessment to measure the effectiveness of his instruction and adjusts his teaching accordingly.

Formative assessment includes daily participation checks, reflective journals, peer feedback, oral questioning and performance in leadership labs. For students who are not demonstrating key leadership concepts or not actively participating, Johnson revisits the components of "look, listen, learn and observe" and conducts mini lessons or role play scenarios to reinforce those skills.

Summative assessment includes leadership presentations, written tests and group projects. When the data reveal patterns of misunderstanding or low performance, Johnson adjusts instructions by scaffolding complex concept more carefully, providing additional visual real world examples and differentiating instruction to meet varied learning needs.

Over the years, Johnson has participated in a number of professional development conferences, such as the West Point High School Leadership conference, which have been instrumental in shaping not only his role as an instructor but also in elevating the program's impact across the district. These gatherings have consistently focused on enhancing the shared understanding of curriculum development, leadership training, technology integration and holistic growth of cadets and students.

Johnson participates in community service projects: food and clothing drives, veterans support, elderly/sick assistance, disaster relief aid, cleanup projects, recycling/conservation programs, mentorship/tutoring, STEM/cyber projects. These projects have consistently built leadership capacity, civic engagement and character in students often referenced in college essays, scholarship applications and job interviews.

In February 2025, South Gwinnett's JROTC Leadership and Academic Teams earned national recognition by qualifying for the 2024-2025 JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) National Championship in Washington, D.C. Out of 3,507 JROTC programs worldwide, only 106 qualified, and South Gwinnett's JROTC is one of just 18 schools advancing in both leadership and academic categories. South Gwinnett is also one of only four Georgia schools to qualify in both categories and the only school in Gwinnett County to do so. South Gwinnett's cadets and students outperformed over 85,000 peers to earn this honor, exemplifying discipline, academic excellence and leadership.