The Superintendent's View - November 16, 2009
From TISD Superintendent Mid Johnson

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. This is the time of year for all of us to take a few days off and contemplate how fortunate we are to be Americans. We celebrated Veteran’s Day last week with a very appropriate program. We should never forget the sacrifices that so many men and women have made to keep this country free. Those who do not study history to understand where we came from will not have the perspective to lead us in the future.

Motivating students to become patriotic citizens through Social Studies and Character Education Programs is a part of the State’s mandate for every school district in Texas. We are to stress positive character traits, such as: trustworthiness, honesty, loyalty, reliability, and punctuality. Every professional educator knows that modeling what you want the students to learn is an effective teaching strategy. Such character traits as caring, kindness, empathy, compassion, generosity, and charity are part of Character Development Programs.

The education code does not explicitly mandate that Thanksgiving be part of the curriculum, but it is part of the fabric of American society. I am thankful to be part of the TISD family. It is a privilege to serve this community and our children as a motivator and leader in education. I hope that all our district employees enjoy a well deserved holiday and rest with their families. Spend some of your holiday in appreciating how fortunate we are to live in the best part of the greatest country on earth! Happy Thanksgiving.

The Superintendent's View - November 9, 2009
From TISD Superintendent Mid Johnson

Parents are the first teachers of their children. Parental involvement is a vital part of the educational programs of any school. Parents are partners with educators, administrators, and school district boards of trustees in their children’s education. The values we instill in our children and students are the fabric and strength of our society.

There are many positive and negative forces at work in our society. TISD is committed to keeping our students focused on the positive. It is our goal to motivate both students and parents to actively participate in creating and implementing the best educational programs for all students. Assuring both parents and students of a bright and successful future is part of the strength of our public school system and of our society. A determined commitment to education and believing our children and students can and will learn and will be successful in school and in life is a strong defense for the “American” way of life.

The school is where most students learn to conform to the norms of society and develop social and academic skills. The home is where most children develop their core values and beliefs about life. When the school and the parents are in agreement and cooperating for the success of all students, our society and our nation benefit. Recently one of our elementary students got the attention of the President of the United States. Who knows? That same student may one day be the President. What we do here in TISD everyday is that important. Education is the best hope and the best defense for our country. That is a powerful motivator for professional educators, parents, and students!

The Superintendent's View - November 2, 2009
From TISD Superintendent Mid Johnson

When I enter the school buildings in the mornings, I hear the National Anthem and see the students pledging allegiance to America. I see the sign out front that says “RECOGNIZED DISTRICT”, and I know we are doing some things right. Public Education and professional educators have been the backbone of America for over two hundred years. There are some things we must not change except to improve them.

While change is a constant in life and in the school environment, our changes at TISD should always be intended to help us to do our jobs even better. Consistency and cooperation are constants that we should always try to find ways to improve. Motivation of students and excellence in academics are constants in which we steadily seek to improve. Discipline and attendance in the classroom and among the faculty and staff are areas in which we have an excellent record, but we can always do better.

Satisfaction comes as the result of achievement. Diligence and vigilance are terms that all professional educators understand. Students must have constant and consistent supervision to be safe. The same qualities and effort that produce safety will produce academic excellence. Complacency is not an option when it comes to the safety and the achievement of our children. We will never be satisfied until every student given to our care is motivated and excited about learning and achieving to the best of his or her ability. Then we will continue to look for more and better ways to teach them because it is the right thing to do.

The Superintendent's View - October 12, 2009
From TISD Superintendent Mid Johnson

As leaders and motivators of students, we have the privilege of instilling knowledge and values into the hearts and minds of our students that will impact society far into the future. It is not enough that students do well on State mandated testing. We want them to do well in life. School leaders must find ways to help students be successful with testing and with other aspects of their education.

Communities and schools are responsible for fostering success for every student. It is important that communities and schools clearly define what is important for students to learn and for the school to engage students in ways that promote these important ideals. Schooling is a partnership with the community that seeks the best education possible for each and every child.

In a community where parents, teachers, and students are motivated to set the best example and strive for excellence in life; every one benefits. An educated citizenry has always been the goal of public education in America. At TISD we are motivated to set the best example. Every concerned parent and teacher wants their children to be successful. We are committed to the belief that every student can and will learn, and we will provide the academic and career programs to assure their success.

The Superintendent's View - September 28, 2009
From TISD Superintendent Mid Johnson

Professional educators are motivators who hold high expectations for themselves and their students. It is a well known fact that students on any level, from elementary to post secondary, tend to “rise to the level of expectation” of their instructors. Instructional leaders and program designs that challenge their students to excel produce excellent results.

TISD is a district that allows all students to achieve excellence by preparing them for secondary and post-secondary opportunities, career preparation and advancement, meaningful work, and active citizenship. It is our expectation that every student can and will learn and achieve to their maximum potential with our help.

When parents are on board with the school and have the same expectations of excellence for their students, success is the standard. The schools of the 21st century are designed to help students and their parents to make wise career choices. This means combining academics with career education. When schools integrate academic and technical education, students can see the “usefulness” of what they are learning. Everyone: teachers, parents, and students, want to believe that what they learn in school will be useful to them in the future. It is our expectation that all students who go through the academic and career programs of TISD will not only realize the usefulness of what they learned in the classroom, but they will also realize it is a big part of all they accomplish in life.

The Superintendent's View - September 8, 2009
From TISD Superintendent Mid Johnson

It should be the goal of every educator to see their students succeed in life. This is most certainly a goal of all of us in the TISD family. In order to be successful as an American citizen, a professional worker, or a caregiver working in the home, we all need a “well rounded education”. That term not only means we have the necessary skills to be successful in school and college, but it also means we have the knowledge and skills to be successful in our chosen career.

Success in a career is often determined by a combination of preparation and opportunity. We are in the business of preparing our students in the classroom to recognize and capitalize on the opportunities life will present to them. America is the “Land of Opportunity”. Education opens the door to opportunity. Without preparation through education many will not be able to take advantage of the opportunities this great land affords them.

The students who attend TISD will receive instruction and encouragement to succeed academically in the classroom and in life beyond the classroom. The Board and I will do every thing in our power to provide students with the tools they need to be successful. At the same time, we will be financially responsible and respectful of the tax payer’s support for our efforts. These are our children and grandchildren we are educating. We want every one of them to achieve their maximum potential in life. Whether they go on to become world renowned mathematicians, musicians, or politicians, we want them to get the basics for that success at TISD.

The Superintendent's View - September 1, 2009
From TISD Superintendent Mid Johnson

We are in the second full week of school for the 2009 – 2010 school year, and things are off to a good start! As I have been getting acquainted with the district and our facilities, I appreciate all the improvements that have been made. TISD is constantly working toward the goal of EXEMPLARY.

One area of constant concern for all of us is student safety. We are always vigilant in making sure that all our facilities and programs are as academically sound and safe as we can possibly make them. Everyone is aware of the threat of the H1N1 flu. Our faculty and support staff have been thoroughly trained in how to respond if we have an outbreak. My hope is we won’t, but we are ready if we do.

As Superintendent, much of my time and energy is spent in dealing with money matters. The School Board and I will be judicious and conservative with all expenditures. One place we must expend funds and care for our students’ safety is in the High School. We are in the process of making the necessary repairs to the floors of this historic building.

As you know, the Board recently voted for a lower property tax rate. All of us are concerned about paying taxes. I, like all of you in the district, pay taxes. We want our tax money to be used for the benefit of our children, and for our children to have the brightest future and the best education we can possibly provide. My own children attend TISD. I am a concerned parent as well as the Superintendent so I am twice concerned that this district becomes one of the best in the State. If we stay focused on our STUDENTS’ needs and safety, and explore every POSSIBILITY for improvement, we will get there.

My name is Mid Johnson, and I am delighted to be the new Superintendent of Schools for the Timpson Independent School District.

I would like for everyone to know a little about me and my family as we become part of the TISD family. My wife’s name is Annette. She is a teacher at Carthage ISD. We have three children. Blake is nine. Claire is six, and Natalie is two. Blake and Claire are attending Timpson Elementary.

I grew up in the Gary area. My dad who is now deceased was James Johnson. My mom is Joyce Davis. I am East Texas proud, bred and born!

It is an honor for me to become the Superintendent of TISD, especially now. I say that because we have the distinguished privilege of being named a RECOGNIZED district from the State of Texas. I congratulate everyone in the district for their hard work to help achieve this award.

Of course, it is a goal to see TISD become an EXEMPLARY district in the future. Through consistent TEAMWORK, focus on our STUDENT’S needs, and exploring all POSSIBILITIES to achieve excellence in the district; we will get there!

I am looking forward to getting more acquainted with everyone in the district. My door is always open to every member of the community. Let’s all work together to make TISD one of the best districts in the great State of Texas!