Learning about the woman behind the name, Emily G. Johns

Emily G. Johns’ daughter, Pat Clason, recently visited the school named after her mother to share stories about Emily G. Johns’ life and career. On Sept. 15, Clason was invited to speak to the staff to help them learn more about her mother.

It is impressive when someone gets an entire school named after them. After listening to Clason explain her mother’s philosophies, her love of children and her pride of working in the Plano School District for so many years, you quickly understand why she earned this honor. Johns affected many lives in the community over the years with her caring nature and high expectations for all people she worked with, big and small.

Clason’s storytelling abilities had the staff both laughing and crying listening to life of Emily Gladys Johns, the woman behind the school’s name.

She shared some interesting facts: her mom was the very first May Queen in Plano; she started teaching when she was 17 years old at the Sears School outside of Plano; her husband, Lefty, had to bid a high amount on Emily’s boxed lunch during a fundraiser to sit with her and have lunch; after teaching for several years, she was hired as the first female principal in Plano at the Northside School, Centennial Elementary and later P.H. Miller; she was there to oversee the construction of P.H. Miller and gave input into the design of the building.

Clason ended her presentation with the staff by saying, “Emily G. Johns believed all children were important and that if adults really cared about them and expected them to do their best, they would step up to the plate and succeed. Emily G. Johns had a pleasant way of getting students to do just that. My mom would be proud that this school was named after her.”

After the presentations, Emily G. Johns School Principal Tony Baker gave Clason a tour of the building. She left a full-page fact sheet and a picture of her mother for all of the teachers to share with their students for years to come.