New Principal Appointed in Ballston Spa
Sarah Johnson. Photo provided.
BALLTSON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District has selected Sarah Johnson as its new Malta Avenue Elementary School Principal.
Johnson was appointed by the Board of Education at its May 20, 2020 meeting with a July 1, 2020 start date. She currently serves as the assistant principal for K-8 schools at Schuylerville CSD.
“I am incredibly excited to begin my role as Malta Avenue Elementary School Principal. It is truly an honor to join this excellent community,” Johnson said. “I share wholeheartedly in the district’s commitment to the well-being of our students and to provide all students with an excellent education. In the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to getting to know the Malta Avenue students, teachers, parents and community members.”
Her current responsibilities include planning, coordinating, and facilitating curriculum development and curriculum mapping for all grade levels and departments, K-8. She co-planned and co-facilitated the school’s Curriculum Review Committee. She also planned, coordinated, and facilitated professional development for all staff members, K-8, on Next Generation Learning Standards. Additionally, she has led professional development for special education and general education teachers on standards-based IEPs, research-based literacy instruction, accommodations and modifications, Response to Intervention, and
progress monitoring.
Ms. Johnson was previously a Special Education Academic Administrator at the Shenendehowa Central School District. Prior to becoming an administrator, she was a ninth grade special education teacher, spent time as an intervention and data coordinator and served as a learning specialist at a high-achieving public middle school in California.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Cornell University, a Master of Education/Special Education degree from Sonoma State University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Rose.
At the culmination of a two month search process, she was selected as the next principal for Malta Avenue Elementary School. The process involved the review of over seventy applications, four rounds of interviews including a presentation to the Board of Education, and finally a discussion with the building advisory committee who made the unanimous choice.
“Despite the daunting economic and budgetary times that we are in, this is certainly a highlight for us as we are all genuinely excited for Sarah to join our team,” indicated Ken Slentz, Superintendent of Ballston Spa CSD.