Marissa Johnson, in her fourth year as Assistant Principal at DeRenne Middle School, is one of fifteen educators nationwide to be awarded a 2025 Lead4Change Fellowship.

Determined to be a driving force for student leadership and engagement, with a passion for service learning and student voice, Mrs. Johnson has led several successful Lead4Change projects both as a classroom teacher and administrator.

The prestigious Lead4Change Fellowship is a year-long professional development opportunity supporting educators in cultivating student leadership through meaningful service projects, but the Lead4Change Fellowship is about more than professional development. It’s a chance to celebrate and equip educators who are shaping the future of leadership for generations to come. Fellows receive exclusive leadership training, participate in a national retreat in Nashville, and collaborate with a network of educators committed to student empowerment. They also provide valuable insights that shape the future of Lead4Change programs and curriculums.

Under Mrs. Johnson’s guidance, four student teams have received grants from the Lead4Change organization for their outreach and community-based projects. “Using the Lead4Change curriculum has given my students a platform to speak up and serve others,” she shared. “It empowers them to lead, collaborate, and advocate for causes they truly care about. Being a Fellow helps me bring new ideas back to our school and inspire our students to use their voices for positive change.”

Mrs. Johnson continues to exemplify leadership in action, helping to shape a culture of service, advocacy, and student agency at DeRenne Middle School.  Congratulations to Mrs. Johnson!