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Schools

Marking her service

By ELISABETH DYER
Published August 11, 2006

PALMA CEIA

Annamae Johnson got the call at noon. Plant High School's principal, Eric Bergholm, insisted that she come to the School Board meeting that afternoon. It had something to do with recognizing Plant, where Johnson had spent her entire 45-year career, he said. He made no mention of the true reason: Faculty members wanted to commemorate Johnson for her dedication. It was quite a surprise, Johnson said, when the board approved a request to name the Plant administration building in her honor.

At a ceremony last week, Plant faculty members and district officials presented Johnson with a plaque and stained-glass piece showing the school's crest and a panther. "I had no idea," Johnson said. "I thought they were going to give me an old yearbook or something they found." Between 1957 and 2003, Johnson taught English, served as dean of girls and was assistant principal for curriculum. Her greatest reward, she said, came through resolving conflicts between students, parents and teachers. "I'd try to find the thread of commonality, what I can work with and weave it into a fabric that resolves the situation," she said. "Every situation has one."

[Last modified August 9, 2006, 10:49:12]