by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – Peggy Johnson announced her retirement at the end of January after 39 years in education and 6 years as Principal of Loveland High School (LHS).
Thirty-nine-year-old Wyoming High School Principal, Adam Reed, who is entering his 17th year in education was recently announced as Johnson’s successor for the 2021-2022 school year.
Reed grew up in Fairfield and currently lives in Loveland with his family. “I enjoy spending time with my family, golfing, and traveling,” Reed told Loveland Magazine in an email exchange. Education has been his only career path.
“My wife Kate and I have three sons. Nolan is 7 and attends the Loveland Primary School, Hunter is 5 and will attend the Loveland Early Childhood Center next year, and Carson just turned 2.
Reed earned both his B.A. and Masters in Education at the University of Cincinnati before earning his Administrative and Superintendent Licensure from Xavier University.
He is a graduate of Fairfield High School, was a varsity baseball coach, and was an assistant coach on a final four basketball team while at Fairfield.
I asked Reed what were his proudest accomplishments with the Wyoming schools and mentioned that the school certainly has bragging rights in regards to academics. “Leading the high school through the pandemic. Supporting students and teachers academically and socially and emotionally while creating the safest learning environment possible,” was his answer. Reed added, “Being an instructional leader with my staff as we integrated technology into their teaching practices and making the high school a Google school.” Reed is also proud that he created a culture where students “felt heard and valued”.
I also asked Reed what does he feel are his best skills that he will bring to LHS. He said, “I am a student-focused administrator and educator. I believe in meeting our students where they are in order to support their learning and goals after high school. I look forward to creating a positive culture and environment to support our teachers and students.”
“While at Wyoming, I participated in our district-wide One Degree Shift work surrounding diversity,” was Reed’s response to a question about the goals of the Loveland District’s Diversity Advisory Board. He further emphasized, “For the 2021-2022 school year, Wyoming High School has created two new courses, African American Studies, and Women’s Studies. As I transition to Loveland, I will continue to focus on our students and meet them where they are. The work of the Loveland Diversity Advisory Board will be instrumental in creating a safe, equitable, educational environment that celebrates diverse perspectives, identities, cultures, and worldviews for all our students.”
In speaking about her retirement, Peggy Johnson said in a statement issued by the District, “Working with teenagers is an unbelievable honor and seeing how they pursue their interests, overcome challenges, and succeed is a most rewarding experience.”
Johnson has spent 39 years in education, beginning her career as a student-teacher in the Fall of 1980 at Loveland High School. She went on to teach students with hearing and language impairments for 17 years and served as a Special Education Supervisor in Hamilton City Schools. She served as principal of Turpin High School for 13 years and spent the last 6 years leading Loveland High School.
A release by the District announcing her retirement said, “While at LHS, Johnson expanded the Advanced Placement program, business program, increased performance on state assessments, and “was dedicated to her students” according to Loveland Director of Human Resources Charles Ogdan. “There isn’t an event that happens where Ms. Johnson isn’t there mingling with students, taking pictures, and posting on Twitter in support of student success and growth,” Ogdan said.
“I wish to thank the LHS school community for the opportunity to work with talented, passionate, and dedicated educators and students and enthusiastic supportive parents and community,” Johnson said in the statement.
