New principal makes presence known
BY BRENNA FINN
December, 2019
It’s hard to miss our new principal, Mr. Mike Johnson, as he roams the halls of Bonny Eagle at least one block a day. The tall, slender man with a full head of gray hair pops into classes and engages with whatever lesson is going on.
Mr. Johnson brings a wealth of experience to Bonny Eagle as both a classroom teacher and a school administrator. He started his career in 1981 as a 6th grade teacher at Jack Memorial School in Buxton. He continued teaching in the district until 1988, when he transferred to Windham Middle School. Mr. Johnson taught math for eight years until he became the assistant principal in Windham. He eventually moved to Portland High School, becoming the principal for 10 years.
Mr. Johnson says he has had a smooth transition to Bonny Eagle High School so far since he took over for Mrs. Lori Napolitano upon her promotion to assistant superintendent. Members of Bonny Eagle’s community have welcomed him and are very happy to have him here.
“I think he has a great rapport with the students and staff. He works really hard to bring us all together and to make Bonny Eagle better,”says BEHS Student Council advisor Mrs. Dawna Cyr.
“I think he is super nice and has many stories to tell,” adds Zoe Peters, a senior.
Mr. Johnson is impressed with the student body and its overall positive attitude and commitment to the school. He is also content with the high quality of professional staff. There are some teachers and administrators at Bonny Eagle whom he has worked with before, including Superintendent Paul Penna, Mr. Rick Simonds, Mr. Skip Geneagal, Mr. Don Denico, and Ms. Sue Orlowski. Our computer technology teacher, Ms. Pellerin, even had him as a 6th grade teacher at Hanson Elementary School in Buxton.
Mr. Johnson says that he admires the entire school operation.
“Being a teacher, admin., custodian, lunch lady, secretary, or support staff member is equally as challenging and essential for the operation of the school,” he says.
As much as his new job here has been rewarding, it has also been challenging. Being principal at Portland High School for 10 years was a dramatically different experience. There are many immigrant and refugee services offered in Portland, he explains. Bonny Eagle does not have the opportunity to interact with a diversity of cultures.
“However, high school kids are high school kids regardless of what culture you come from or where you were born,” he says.
December, 2019
It’s hard to miss our new principal, Mr. Mike Johnson, as he roams the halls of Bonny Eagle at least one block a day. The tall, slender man with a full head of gray hair pops into classes and engages with whatever lesson is going on.
Mr. Johnson brings a wealth of experience to Bonny Eagle as both a classroom teacher and a school administrator. He started his career in 1981 as a 6th grade teacher at Jack Memorial School in Buxton. He continued teaching in the district until 1988, when he transferred to Windham Middle School. Mr. Johnson taught math for eight years until he became the assistant principal in Windham. He eventually moved to Portland High School, becoming the principal for 10 years.
Mr. Johnson says he has had a smooth transition to Bonny Eagle High School so far since he took over for Mrs. Lori Napolitano upon her promotion to assistant superintendent. Members of Bonny Eagle’s community have welcomed him and are very happy to have him here.
“I think he has a great rapport with the students and staff. He works really hard to bring us all together and to make Bonny Eagle better,”says BEHS Student Council advisor Mrs. Dawna Cyr.
“I think he is super nice and has many stories to tell,” adds Zoe Peters, a senior.
Mr. Johnson is impressed with the student body and its overall positive attitude and commitment to the school. He is also content with the high quality of professional staff. There are some teachers and administrators at Bonny Eagle whom he has worked with before, including Superintendent Paul Penna, Mr. Rick Simonds, Mr. Skip Geneagal, Mr. Don Denico, and Ms. Sue Orlowski. Our computer technology teacher, Ms. Pellerin, even had him as a 6th grade teacher at Hanson Elementary School in Buxton.
Mr. Johnson says that he admires the entire school operation.
“Being a teacher, admin., custodian, lunch lady, secretary, or support staff member is equally as challenging and essential for the operation of the school,” he says.
As much as his new job here has been rewarding, it has also been challenging. Being principal at Portland High School for 10 years was a dramatically different experience. There are many immigrant and refugee services offered in Portland, he explains. Bonny Eagle does not have the opportunity to interact with a diversity of cultures.
“However, high school kids are high school kids regardless of what culture you come from or where you were born,” he says.