Rena Johnson

CityBridge Education is committed to Washington, D.C. becoming the first city-level proofpoint of an excellent and equitable education system. In her role, Rena prioritizes funding and support for leaders of color that have a vision for a more equitable future. Her most recent accomplishments include supporting the full approval and launch of five new charter schools, four of which are led by leaders of color in DC. Rena is the former principal of DC Scholars Stanton Elementary, the city’s first elementary school turnaround charter and district partnership school. During her tenure, DC Scholars Stanton outpaced the academic growth of most charters and district elementary schools in Ward 8, the city’s most vulnerable ward.

Ms. Johnson began her education career as an elementary school teacher in Atlanta, GA as a Teacher For America (TFA) corps member before joining the TFA DC Regional Team, where she managed placement strategy and new corps member transition. From TFA, Ms. Johnson became a resident principal with New Leaders for New Schools where she led the implementation of the Achievement Network data-driven instructional model and founded a New Teacher program for all first-year teachers. Ms. Johnson holds a BA from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in Education, Policy, and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.