News
10 Questions with David Johnstone
David Johnstone will take the helm as Lower School Director at CCES beginning in July. No stranger to school administration, Mr. Johnstone has served as a school principal for the past nineteen years. He began his principalships at Fork Shoals Elementary School, where he served from 1997-2005, and moved subsequently into his current position as principal of Sterling School-Charles Townes Center, a community of 850 students in K-4 through 8th grade. Arriving in its third year, Mr. Johnstone developed the Charles Townes Center, an innovative, accelerated program for 450 gifted students in 3rd grade through 8th grade. Collaterally, he instituted the Sterling Program, a project/inquiry based instructional program of choice for 420 students from the Nicholtown community and Greenville County.
I recently sat down with Mr. Johnstone to interview him about his new role. Several of our Lower School classes were curious as well about their new principal, and had some adorable questions of their own.
1. What were your first impressions of CCES?
Mr. Johnstone: I grew up in Greenville so I thought I knew a lot about CCES. I even attended Special Friends day years ago when my niece was a Primer. However, when I came for my interview the facilities, resources, and people blew me away. The way that faculty members talk about students, even in their most casual moments, displays a real dedication and commitment that is pervasive throughout the school. The love and care for students is very deep and very broad— it’s translated in everything that I’ve seen. I know I am stepping into something really special that I now have a huge role and responsibility in.
2. What made you accept this job?
Mr. Johnstone: This is an exciting opportunity for me and I felt like I could grow and contribute here. Over the years, I’ve had conversations with Dr Kupersmith and have been around the country looking at the best schools, trying to run the best organizations I can. I had an excellent experience in Greenville County Schools and a great deal of success, but this is an opportunity to be something bigger than myself. I really respect what CCES has done for it students. I thought this would be a really great opportunity to be a part of the best.
3. What are your plans for the future of the Lower School?
Mr. Johnstone: Right now I’m on the steep end of the learning curve. Initially, I’m going to be taking in a lot of information and finding ways to encourage, support, and energize the staff to continue to grow. My general view is make today better than yesterday. I have a slogan I like, “Do great work better.” The best feels to me like you’ve arrived and you’re done. Teaching is awesome because no matter how good you do it, you get to do it again the next day, and when you’re done with the year you get to do it all over again. My job is to come in and help people recognize their greatness and lean into it. I think initially a place that I can add value is having a fresh set of eyes affirming the great work that is already being done.
4. What do you think are the greatest challenges ahead?
Mr. Johnstone: In this age of connectivity, it’s making sure that our connections with our children are valuable, meaningful, and significant. For me, there are moments in my life where teachers made a huge difference, and it comes down to a moment, a comment, such as “you’re doing great,” “you could do better,” “you can be this one day”. It’s about balance, supporting each child’s interests, while still giving them the foundation that they need, and supporting the social and emotional development they need to be a complete and whole person.
5. What do you think makes the Lower School special?
Mr. Johnstone: The absolute, genuine, love and care for children. It is 100% evident in everything I’ve seen at the Lower School. It’s authentic here.
6. How good are you at being a principal? (Mrs. Kittredge’s Primer Class)
Mr. Johnstone: I don’t know how good I am at being a principal but I’m good at getting better.
7. Are you a dog-man or a cat-man? (Mrs. Waldrop’s 1st Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Dog. I’m a fan of Golden Retrievers and I have one named Bear. He is a beautiful dog but a terrible retriever.
8. If you were a superhero - who would you be? (Mrs. Mullins’ 2nd Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Batman. The modern representation of him. I like that he’s a real person and that he uses his skills to do good.
9. What was your favorite 80’s jam? (Mrs. Martin’s 3rd Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Split Enz (here’s a flashback to “I Got You”), and Crowded House, (I know everybody remembers “Don’t Dream It’s Over”)
10. What is your favorite subject and why? (Mrs. Hollis’ 4th Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Science, in the broadest sense. I love the idea of discovering new things and constantly reevaluating the merits of it.
Mr. Johnstone is even married to a science teacher, who knew?
Welcome to the CCES family, Mr. Johnstone, we all look forward to getting to know you better!
Back
I recently sat down with Mr. Johnstone to interview him about his new role. Several of our Lower School classes were curious as well about their new principal, and had some adorable questions of their own.
1. What were your first impressions of CCES?
Mr. Johnstone: I grew up in Greenville so I thought I knew a lot about CCES. I even attended Special Friends day years ago when my niece was a Primer. However, when I came for my interview the facilities, resources, and people blew me away. The way that faculty members talk about students, even in their most casual moments, displays a real dedication and commitment that is pervasive throughout the school. The love and care for students is very deep and very broad— it’s translated in everything that I’ve seen. I know I am stepping into something really special that I now have a huge role and responsibility in.
2. What made you accept this job?
Mr. Johnstone: This is an exciting opportunity for me and I felt like I could grow and contribute here. Over the years, I’ve had conversations with Dr Kupersmith and have been around the country looking at the best schools, trying to run the best organizations I can. I had an excellent experience in Greenville County Schools and a great deal of success, but this is an opportunity to be something bigger than myself. I really respect what CCES has done for it students. I thought this would be a really great opportunity to be a part of the best.
3. What are your plans for the future of the Lower School?
Mr. Johnstone: Right now I’m on the steep end of the learning curve. Initially, I’m going to be taking in a lot of information and finding ways to encourage, support, and energize the staff to continue to grow. My general view is make today better than yesterday. I have a slogan I like, “Do great work better.” The best feels to me like you’ve arrived and you’re done. Teaching is awesome because no matter how good you do it, you get to do it again the next day, and when you’re done with the year you get to do it all over again. My job is to come in and help people recognize their greatness and lean into it. I think initially a place that I can add value is having a fresh set of eyes affirming the great work that is already being done.
4. What do you think are the greatest challenges ahead?
Mr. Johnstone: In this age of connectivity, it’s making sure that our connections with our children are valuable, meaningful, and significant. For me, there are moments in my life where teachers made a huge difference, and it comes down to a moment, a comment, such as “you’re doing great,” “you could do better,” “you can be this one day”. It’s about balance, supporting each child’s interests, while still giving them the foundation that they need, and supporting the social and emotional development they need to be a complete and whole person.
5. What do you think makes the Lower School special?
Mr. Johnstone: The absolute, genuine, love and care for children. It is 100% evident in everything I’ve seen at the Lower School. It’s authentic here.
6. How good are you at being a principal? (Mrs. Kittredge’s Primer Class)
Mr. Johnstone: I don’t know how good I am at being a principal but I’m good at getting better.
7. Are you a dog-man or a cat-man? (Mrs. Waldrop’s 1st Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Dog. I’m a fan of Golden Retrievers and I have one named Bear. He is a beautiful dog but a terrible retriever.
8. If you were a superhero - who would you be? (Mrs. Mullins’ 2nd Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Batman. The modern representation of him. I like that he’s a real person and that he uses his skills to do good.
9. What was your favorite 80’s jam? (Mrs. Martin’s 3rd Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Split Enz (here’s a flashback to “I Got You”), and Crowded House, (I know everybody remembers “Don’t Dream It’s Over”)
10. What is your favorite subject and why? (Mrs. Hollis’ 4th Grade Class)
Mr. Johnstone: Science, in the broadest sense. I love the idea of discovering new things and constantly reevaluating the merits of it.
Mr. Johnstone is even married to a science teacher, who knew?
Welcome to the CCES family, Mr. Johnstone, we all look forward to getting to know you better!
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Christ Church Episcopal School (“CCES”) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at CCES. CCES does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, scholarship or other programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs and activities.