Rhonda Johnson

Ohio School Board District 7

About Rhonda Johnson

Learn more about Rhonda Johnson

Rhonda Johnson is a dedicated educator who served as the Education Director for the City of Columbus. She was appointed by Mayor Coleman in 2014; and reappointed by Mayor Ginther in 2016. In that role, she served as an ex-officio member of the Columbus Board of Education. She oversaw a staff that committed to creating successful education opportunities that address the needs of the students living in the Columbus community. During her tenure from 2014-2019, the City provided access to high quality pre-kindergarten education for more than 4,500 4-year-olds.

Rhonda’s passion for education is evident, serving as a teacher in Columbus City Schools from 1978-2014. Her love for education led her to be a committed advocate for teachers through numerous leadership positions with Columbus Education Association (CEA), including faculty representative, bargaining team member and Teachers for Better Schools political action committee. In 1994, she was elected Vice President of the CEA and served under longtime CEA President John Grossman. When he retired in 2004, Johnson was elected to replace him. Johnson was both the first woman and the first African American to lead the organization.

During her 10 years as President, Johnson was a successful and active voice for Columbus teachers and students, both locally and nationally. She served on a number of advisory committees and panels for the OEA and NEA and represented teachers at their respective representative assemblies. Under Rhonda’s leadership, CEA achieved a series of major educational reform projects. Most notably, CEA was awarded a $1.25 million grant from the NEA Foundation to help transform some of the district’s most challenged schools into local and national models for teaching and learning. CEA’s innovative ideas and programs have been shared with the U.S. Department of Education, legislators and universities. The epitome of teacher quality, CEA’s Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) program very much influenced the development of Ohio’s Resident Educator Program.

Johnson has been recognized repeatedly for her work in the community by educators, labor, non-profit organizations and elected leaders. Among the awards, she is very proud to have received the George Meaney Award from the Central Labor Council and the Grace Lee Boggs Award from the OSU EHE Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She has served on numerous boards, councils and panels, including representing labor on the boards of the United Way of Central Ohio and the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

A native of Tuscumbia, Alabama, Rhonda received a Bachelor’s degree at Alabama A&M University and a Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University, both in Business Education. Johnson is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Rating Rhonda Johnson

Rank-and-file OEA members from legislative districts and surrounding school districts screened and endorsed candidates based on their positions and voting records on the following issues:

Support for fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan to ensure students and educators have the resources they need and to alleviate dependency on local property tax levies
Stopping book bans, infringing on educators’ academic freedom, censorship, and ensuring the ability of students to receive an inclusive, historically accurate, and truthful education
Decreasing standardized testing
Shifting away from the State of Ohio’s report cards being based on testing outcomes
Stopping state takeovers of school districts due to low standardized test scores
Preservation of educators’ pensions to ensure a safe, secure retirement so Ohio can attract and retain the educators of tomorrow
Opposition to privatizing educational services to ensure education positions remain good union jobs
Support for unions and collective bargaining to ensure educators receive fair contracts and have a voice in the workplace
Opposition to vouchers and voucher expansion, and support for charter and private school accountability

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Election protection hotline: 844-644-8683 or 844-OHI-VOTE

Registration Deadline:

Monday, October 7, 2024 – Deadline to register to vote and update registrations in advance of the general election. Boards of Election will be open until 9:00 PM for individuals to drop off registrations or register online at the link below before the deadline:

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