James Johnson received his undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Visually Impaired from Illinois State University, a Master’s in Special Education from Temple University in 1982, and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003, where his dissertation topic was “Academic Learning Standards as Reform in an Elementary School – One School’s Journey.” His first special education teaching position was at the Hope School in Springfield, Illinois, teaching students who were deaf-blind. He has also taught students with social and emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, and reading disabilities. Dr. Johnson has been an elementary school principal for 23 years and currently is the principal of Gladwyne Elementary School in Lower Merion School District just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His areas of expertise include parent education and special education, inclusion leadership in special education and legal issues.
“My youngest brother was born blind. As his older brother, I was one of his first teachers and helped him learn about the world. Since those early days, I have enjoyed teaching children and adults. I enjoy teaching online because I can help educators learn the best ways to help others learn and grow, especially students with special needs!”
