A COMMUNITY FOR ALL

In her 10 years as principal at All Saints Catholic Academy in Albany, Traci Johnson has built more than a school.

She has built a community.

“We went through a significant enrollment change when I got here in 2012. Basically we threw the doors open and said we are going to offer an education that families want or need; full-day programming, scholarships,” Johnson said. “Any family that wants their child in Catholic education at All Saints, you are welcome to come and have that conversation. 

“We have a beautiful array of students from all different races, creeds and religions here at All Saints. And I think it encompasses our name especially because we are welcoming to all. (At) All Saints, we look like our community at large … now we have become part of our community.”

For her dedication and commitment the past decade, Johnson will be honored with The Bishop of Albany Distinguished Administrator Award at the Catholic School Liturgy on Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The award is given to an administrator who demonstrates strong leadership, who is affable to the Church community as well as teachers and parents, and who promotes Catholic education and fosters a curriculum around God’s truth.

Even with her successes at All Saints, the honor caught her off guard.

“When Giovanni (Virgiglio, diocesan superintendent) called me, I had no words. I was extremely humbled that my community that I am a part of took the time to nominate me,” Johnson said. “There is a lot of work that goes into that. I guess I didn’t know that I was making such a big impact on so many peoples' lives. I do my job the best I can but - as the parents and students congratulate me - it’s kind of like, ‘Oh, okay, we are doing a little better than just the ordinary.’ ” 

Ordinary is never a word that would be used to describe the work that Johnson has done at All Saints, which boasts an enrollment of 210 in the pre-K through Grade 8 school. And as she added “we don’t enroll students, we enroll families.” In talking with Johnson, you sense the vocational aspect that is such a fundamental part of being a teacher or administrator at a Catholic school.

“It’s definitely a ministry because if you treat it like a job - showing up and leaving on time - you’re missing out on the benefits of being part of something bigger than yourself,” she said. “When I say I love my job, it is not my job from 8-to-3, it is the families, it’s my staff. You truly are part of a community so you don’t feel like you are going to work, you are with your extended family or extended community.”

Johnson, who was born in Colonie, has always wanted to be a teacher, getting her bachelor’s in elementary education from Coastal Carolina University. When she returned to the area, she started teaching fourth grade (“in the same classrooms I went to and it was wonderful”) in the South Colonie Central School District. When she decided to stay home and raise her children, she remained a substitute. Then living in Niskayuna, she enrolled her daughter in preschool at St. John the Evangelist. It was there that the principal at the time approached Johnson and asked if she would be interested in a long-term substitute position teaching second grade at St. Helen’s (now St. Kateri). That turned into a full-time job teaching fourth grade working under the Sisters of the Presentation for the Blessed Mary. 

Although she was happy teaching, she did not see herself as a career classroom teacher. She got her masters in Curriculum and Development/Educational Theory and Practice from SUNY Albany, became assistant principal at St. Helen’s, then was awarded a diocesan scholarship to get her building leader certification from The College of St. Rose. After spending 2005-12 at St. Helen’s, she was named principal at All Saints in 2012 and has been there ever since.

“What I like best about my job is I don’t do the same thing twice,” said Johnson, who is the first lay principal at All Saints. “Every single day is different. Yes there are things that I do every single day, but at the same time, it is a side-hug from a 3-year-old saying, ‘Good morning’ to mentoring an eighth grader. 

“I just like the diversity of age, programming that we do offer, but more importantly, we are a family school. I have watched families grow and I always say that we are part of their journey, we are part of their life journey. And to be part of a family’s life journey for their children, is very meaningful to me.”

And she has been in the unique position on her journey to see students, who began in pre-K when she started and are now in eighth grade, grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.

“I have actually seen some of our youngest preschoolers grow into young men and women that I am very proud of them to watch them make this change,” Johnson  said. “And to be able to mentor those that you know are at that crucial part because after they leave us, we’ve done our personal best. I come to work and give 110 percent every day and I never go home and say, ‘Did I give enough to that student or did I not.’ ”

As for the future, with her children Emma, 22, and Nate, 19, both in college, Johnson plans on continuing to build the All Saints community.

“My short-term career goal is I am very happy where I am,” she said. “I am not looking to make any big changes. My children are in college and I have the time to dedicate, especially during this time of teaching and learning during a time of COVID - that is a phrase I use a lot ‘teaching and learning in a time of COVID.’  I have that time and energy to give.”

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