Courtesy photo
Salem School Division Superintendent Dr. Curtis Hicks announced this week that Greg Johnston has been named the new principal at G.W. Carver Elementary School, effective July 1. The Salem School Board formally approved the administrative appointment at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“I am honored and sincerely thankful to Dr. Hicks and the Salem’s school board members for placing their trust in me and allowing me to serve as the next principal of G.W. Carver,” Johnston said. “I know the school has a tremendous history and great reputation, and I cannot wait to get started.”
Johnston, who is a Roanoke Valley native and Northside High school graduate, has 30 years of various educational experiences in the commonwealth. He started his career teaching kindergarten students in Dinwiddie County and from 1994-96 he was a valued faculty member teaching first, second, and third graders at Franklin County’s Glade Hill Elementary.
In 2000, he advanced into administration and began a 24 year stretch of employment in Roanoke City Public Schools. Johnston served as an assistant principal at Fairview Elementary and later as a principal at both Oakland Intermediate and Monterey Elementary schools.
From 2013-20, he was a valuable member of Roanoke’s central office staff working as the Executive Director for K-5 Instruction. During that time, he directed, coordinated, and supervised the implementation of instructional programs throughout 17 elementary schools in Roanoke city. Since 2021, Johnston has been the division’s Executive Director of Academics facilitating the placement and training of instructional programs throughout 26 various schools.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to hire someone with Mr. Johnston’s experience,” Hicks said. “We are also fortunate that G.W. Carver is such an outstanding school with an amazing faculty serving a community that values education and supports students. This will allow him the opportunity to invest in the relationships with staff, students, and the community that will ultimately ensure the school’s continued success on all levels.”
Johnston has earned three academic credentials from Virginia Tech. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the university.
“A strong academic foundation has been established at G. W. Carver, and I am excited to meet and work with the students, families, staff, and community to build upon that foundation,” Johnston said. “Together, we will ensure that our students have the opportunity to receive the best educational experience possible in and out of the classroom.”
Johnston will succeed Christina Rose, who is moving to East Salem Elementary to serve as an assistant principal for the upcoming school year. The current Carver Assistant Principal Michelle Palleria will remain on the G.W. Carver staff and continue to serve in the same valued role.
Johnston and his wife, Laura, have three children.
-The Salem Times-Register
