The new Principal for the Championship Academy of Distinction (K-8) on Hillcrest Drive found her life calling to teach children when she was in her 30s.  That’s when Venesia Johnson had to decide whether to relocate to North Carolina to keep her position as Vice President of Sales and Marketing with a major company or remain in South Florida. 

Married with two children, she decided to stay here, obtain a real estate sales license, and start substitute teaching. However, the principal at her first school noticed within weeks that she excelled at working with students. “My classroom management was strong,” Johnson recalls the Principal telling her.

This support led her to take a full-time job with Broward County Public Schools, return to school, and earn a master’s degree in educational leadership. She is currently working online to earn her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. Johnson initially taught in Broward County Public Schools. However, she later moved to Miami-Dade Public Schools to work in administration at the district office before returning to Broward County.

Championship Academy of Distinction is a charter school currently serving 492 students, with a capacity to admit up to 680. Enrollment is determined through a lottery system after parents submit applications. The school offers small class sizes, typically with no more than 20 students per class. Approximately 95% of the staff are state-certified teachers, and the school employs around 30 educators.

Government funding is determined based on attendance measurements taken twice a year. Advanced students have the opportunity to enroll in high school-level courses in biology and algebra. The school also administers the same state-mandated tests as public schools, assessing math and English Language Arts proficiency three times a year.

Johnson takes pride in the fact that her school does not return struggling students to the public school system. “We believe every student has the ability to learn,” she says. “We keep working with them.” She was appointed Principal this summer to collaborate with staff and students to improve academic achievement. Johnson evaluates the learning process by analyzing state test scores and consistently monitoring classroom instruction alongside Michael Rivera, the Assistant Principal. Instructional coaches also observe classroom lessons to provide additional support. So far, several teachers have been replaced, as school leadership believes that new educators may better contribute to enhancing student learning outcomes.

Johnson also draws on her previous experience at Championship Academy to assess the current state of the school and chart a path forward. Prior to becoming Principal, she served as Dean of Curriculum for a year, followed by a year as Assistant Principal.

Ensuring authentic teaching happens daily is a priority, though Johnson emphasizes, “we support the whole child.” By this, she means that Championship Academy fosters creativity in addition to traditional learning. She highlights programs in music, arts, computer coding, and virtual scholastic gaming (Esports) as examples of how teachers nurture students’ creative abilities. The school also welcomes community members to volunteer by reading with students or assisting with other activities. It’s evident that Johnson is passionate about her work. “In my 30s, I found a calling greater than myself,” she reflects. “I believe God makes no mistakes.”

To learn more about the school, or to volunteer, call (954) 924-8006. You can also reach Principal Johnson at (954) 342-4597.