Sue (Dr. J) Johnston 1760 - 2011 Inductee

Our next inductee has been praised by colleagues for her unmatched dedication, and her ability to inspire intellectual curiosity in her students; she’s a “motherly mentor” of young teachers new to GA and of students interested in pursuing studies in science and engineering.

Hired to develop the Middle School science program, she took a subject that was taught for only half a year in the eighth grade, and developed into the three-year program that it is today.

But her work and commitment to GA has extended far beyond the classroom. This past year, she’s co-chaired the Preserve and Sustainability Committee, organizing efforts to make the Preserve a signature space for environmental education for future generations of GA students and community members.

After finding summer jobs for her daughters in high school, she became convinced that other GA students would also benefit from real world experience. So, in the spirit of entrepreneurship that marks so many of the GA faculty, she created GA’s first-rate Internship Program for scores of students interested in science, math and other fields. 

Such accomplishments would make for a full career for many, but not this inductee. Innovators like her rarely rest on their laurels. She went on to create GA’s Science Research Program, proving year after year that middle and high school students can make significant contributions to our understanding of complex problems.  Over the years, hundreds of her students have won prizes at science fairs and gone on to competitions at the state and national level.  Nine of her students have attended the International Science Fair – with one just recently placing third; three students have become prestigious Intel Science Semi-Finalists.  She’s won grants and awards for her and her students’ groundbreaking work to develop a printed word-to-voice reading device for the blind.

One alum, herself a doctor, remarked with pride and admiration on how many of this inductee's disciples are now internists, surgeons, cancer researchers, engineers and scientists.

So many alumni, inspired by her mentoring, have gone on to great heights. It’s time to count her among them. Please join me in welcoming “Dr J,” Sue Johnston, to the Class of 1760.