Asya Johnson

Photo of Asya Johnson

2022-2023 Gray Fellow

Background

Dr. Asya Johnson began her teaching career 16 years ago as a teacher in her hometown in Philadelphia. She received an Ed.D. in Education Management and Leadership from Drexel University; an Ed.M. in Leadership for Educational Change from Bank Street College; an M.Ed. in Special Education from Holy Family University and a B.A. in English from an HBCU, Delaware State University. She has served as the principal of Longwood Preparatory Academy in the South Bronx since 2016. Dr. Johnson has held several positions at a charter school in Harlem, including the principal of the high school. Dr. Johnson also served as the Director of Special Education Programs for the New York City Department of Education’s District 79, where she assisted with the creation of special education instruction for incarcerated youth in secured detention and students on Rikers Island correctional facility. Serving as a member of New York City’s Diversity Advisory Group, Dr. Johnson assisted with developing recommendations for diversity in admissions to public schools, most of which were approved by Mayor de Blasio. She is also a cohort 19 Cahn Fellow for Distinguished Principals. Dr. Johnson continues to advocate for racial justice and educational equity.