Jill Johanson has joined the Huntington School District’s faculty team. The veteran educator was named chairperson of elementary grade level STEM. Trustees approved the appointment during a public meeting in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium this past Monday night.
Ms. Johanson obtained an undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry at Bucknell University in 1998 and went on to earn a Master of Arts in secondary school science education at Columbia University’s Techers College in 2005. She studied for her state administrative certification at the College of St. Rose.
Prior to coming to Huntington, Ms. Johanson taught Advanced Placement chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry at Regis High School in Manhattan from 2000 to 2010. She taught AP and honors chemistry at Lynbrook High School from 2011 until the time of her recent appointment in Huntington. She was also serving as Lynbrook’s science department chairperson for grades 6-12.
Huntington officials sifted through 46 applications, pre-screened nine candidates and extensively interviewed five individuals before recommending Ms. Johanson for appointment, which is effective September 1.
The new position includes the following responsibilities:
- Provide comprehensive instructional coaching in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and elementary science programs.
- Collaborate with teachers and provide specific strategies for improved instructional delivery.
- Serve as a resource in identifying appropriate research-based instructional strategies and interventions to improve STEM education for students in grades 3-6 and support for the district’s K-6 elementary science program.
- Support teachers by providing feedback on lessons and assessments that align with the Common Core State Standards, New York State standards and the district’s science, math and technology curricula.
- Provide professional development and materials to support teachers.
- Support the development of curriculum and pacing of the scope and sequence based on essential content knowledge as outlined in the state standards.
- Cultivate a standards-based, data and results-oriented culture.
- Make recommendations on best practices for supporting curricular integration across all content areas.
- Complete any additional duties as assigned by the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.