What would happen if parents were willing to supervise lunch duties for teachers? Sound like an impossible dream? Well, it's an annual occurrence for the teachers at Fort Crawford Elementary School in New Kensington. Every year for Teacher Appreciation Week, the parents come in to cover lunch duties, so the teachers can enjoy eating together. According to the school's principal, Mrs. Pat Johnson, this example of parent involvement is just one of many. It’s easy to see how proud she is of Fort Crawford, as she expounds exuberantly about the faculty, students, and parents.

To describe what makes her school unique in the New Kensington/ Arnold School District, Mrs. Johnson notes several things. First, Fort Crawford is the only “school-wide” building in the district. This term means that all of the students in grades K – 3rd are eligible to receive services from the reading specialists. Second, Mrs. Johnson explains, "At our school, parent and community involvement is wonderful! Our parents are very active.” In addition to the traditional PTA, parents have formed a Fathers’ Club and a Mothers’ Club which meet to take the children to high school sports events, as well as other activities. Every year the school holds Muffins for Mom, Donuts for Dad and activities for grandparents. Moreover, the parents sponsor all the activities such as RIF, book fairs, Santa’s Workshop, and other activities. Yet what makes the community involvement stand out among other districts is the volunteer help from senior citizens! About seven years ago, the superintendent developed a program called SERVIS, (Seniors Earning Rebates Volunteering in Schools.) This program allows seniors to earn tax rebates by coming in to the school to help. They work with students one on one or assist the reading specialists with activities. Everyone loves seeing the seniors get involved, especially the children!

Along with the volunteer involvement at Fort Crawford, Mrs. Johnson describes an amazing program which aids teachers in providing differentiated instruction. A few years ago, her building won the Comprehensive School Reform Grant for $450,000.00. They bought computers and a computer assisted research based program called “Compass Learning.” This curriculum affords teachers the opportunity to give diagnostic testing, by which they guide their instruction for individual children. The testing makes the curriculum prescriptive, enabling teachers to zero in on certain skills. “In addition, the program is based on state standards, and it helps students prepare for the PSSA tests,” she adds.

Mrs. Johnson has an extensive background in teaching, guidance, and administrative roles. She taught kindergarten for 14 years and worked 2 years as a guidance/instructional support teacher for Kiski Area School District. She then became the assistant principal at Valley Middle School for one year, until leaving to serve as principal for Fort Crawford and another elementary building for 9 years. For the past three years, she has been principal for just Fort Crawford Elementary.

Mrs. Johnson stays busy as a grandmother and by volunteering at her church. She has two grown sons, Jermaine and Jaerin. Jermaine is a teacher at Gateway High School and an ordained minister. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children. Mrs. Johnson’s son, Jaerin is a father of a one year old and an assistant manager of Citizens Bank. As a member of the Alle-Kiski Worship Center, she is helping her church in their current move to Monroeville. She also attends First Baptist Church of Avonmore with her mother.

Filled with praise for the administration, faculty, and community support in the district, Mrs. Johnson asserts, “I love coming to work each day. The administration I work with is wonderful. They care about what happens in the community. Everyone cares about everyone. It’s one whole community, one big family.” What’s most important to her, however, is that the focus is on the students. She relates, “Teachers make that their first priority – what is best for the students.” To watch the interview and meet Mrs. Johnson in person,go to http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1747