Featured Alumni

MELODY JOHNSON

The Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2002
Superintendent
Fort Worth Independent School District, Texas

“It is critical that an urban superintendent has a track record of success as an effective manager of business and organizational affairs, but, more importantly, as a leader of people. Fostering a true spirit of collaboration and respect is a top priority for me.”

In March 2005, Melody Johnson was appointed superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas, a school system with more than 80,000 students and 146 schools. Prior to this role, Johnson served as superintendent of the Providence Public Schools, the largest district in Rhode Island, with more than 27,000 students and 54 schools. Previously, as the deputy superintendent for teaching and learning in Providence, she committed to establishing a rigorous instructional program for all students and designed and developed several key programs for elevating student achievement. Before Providence, she served as associate superintendent at the San Antonio Independent School District. Under her leadership, 65 elementary schools and 17 middle schools showed a 33 percent increase on standardized tests. She also served as the first senior director of middle schools for the state of Texas. Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from Phillips University in Enid, Okla., a master’s degree in education from Texas Woman‘s University and a doctorate in educational administration, with a focus on leadership and the superintendency, from The University of Texas at Austin.  Johnson is a graduate of the 2002 class of The Broad Superintendents Academy.