Eric Johnson has been an educator for nearly 30 years in the Omaha Public Schools (OPS)
district. He has helped build student growth and engagement during his time at OPS.
Johnson is currently an administrator and the Athletic Director at North. In the
past, Johnson has worked at King Elementary as a Physical Education teacher, Nathan
Hale as an Assistant Principal, Data Processor and middle school Athletic Director.
Johnson grew up in Batavia, Illinois. He was influenced by his former teachers and coaches
that taught him to value education and mentorship.
Johnson participated in track and field in high school and was a sprinter for the 100m and
200m, as well as a long jumper. Johnson was recruited out of high school as an athlete,
being awarded a scholarship to Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Johnson was a 5–time collegiate All–American during his time at Minnesota State.
As a former track athlete, Johnson’s early experiences in sports were pivotal in his personal
development.
He built strong relationships with his coaches, who served as mentors both on and off the
field. This inspired him to pursue a career in education, where he could create similar
relationships with students.
Johnson completed his education at Minnesota State University, where he got his degree in
Physical Education.
After his education, Johnson began his teaching career as an elementary Physical
Education teacher at King Elementary in Omaha.
He described the role as both challenging and rewarding, sharing the need for preparation,
as well as being able to adapt when working with young students.
“I quickly learned to be prepared with multiple activities working with elementary age
students,” said Johnson.
Johnson also noted that when he was balancing his responsibilities as a student, and
coach, while pursuing a graduate degree, he was met with plenty of challenges.
Throughout his career, Johnson learned from several key mentors, including former Omaha
North Principal Gene Haynes, as well as Athletic Directors Tom Lee and Dan Bartels. He
credited their support with helping him with the challenge of school administration.
district. He has helped build student growth and engagement during his time at OPS.
Johnson is currently an administrator and the Athletic Director at North. In the
past, Johnson has worked at King Elementary as a Physical Education teacher, Nathan
Hale as an Assistant Principal, Data Processor and middle school Athletic Director.
Johnson grew up in Batavia, Illinois. He was influenced by his former teachers and coaches
that taught him to value education and mentorship.
Johnson participated in track and field in high school and was a sprinter for the 100m and
200m, as well as a long jumper. Johnson was recruited out of high school as an athlete,
being awarded a scholarship to Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Johnson was a 5–time collegiate All–American during his time at Minnesota State.
As a former track athlete, Johnson’s early experiences in sports were pivotal in his personal
development.
He built strong relationships with his coaches, who served as mentors both on and off the
field. This inspired him to pursue a career in education, where he could create similar
relationships with students.
Johnson completed his education at Minnesota State University, where he got his degree in
Physical Education.
After his education, Johnson began his teaching career as an elementary Physical
Education teacher at King Elementary in Omaha.
He described the role as both challenging and rewarding, sharing the need for preparation,
as well as being able to adapt when working with young students.
“I quickly learned to be prepared with multiple activities working with elementary age
students,” said Johnson.
Johnson also noted that when he was balancing his responsibilities as a student, and
coach, while pursuing a graduate degree, he was met with plenty of challenges.
Throughout his career, Johnson learned from several key mentors, including former Omaha
North Principal Gene Haynes, as well as Athletic Directors Tom Lee and Dan Bartels. He
credited their support with helping him with the challenge of school administration.
When Johnson started at North, Haynes was the Athletic Director and Johnson noticed his
leadership style with the way he interacted with students, staff, and families. Lee also
inspired Johnson with his similar leadership style of Haynes.
Johnson also noted the managing and interactive skills with coaches that Bartels had as an
athletic director.
“I think all those are things that I took from each one of them and made me think an
athletic administrator would be a role that I would want,” said Johnson.
In his current administrative role, Johnson focuses on working and coordinating with
students, staff, and parents. In his role Johnson loves to educate his students and make
sure families are aware.
“I enjoy working with students, staff and parents,” said Johnson.
Johnson also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between his
professional and personal life. He makes a good effort to schedule time for family and
personal hobbies.
Johnson’s favorite hobbies include exercising, cooking, camping, and spending quality
time with loved ones.
After 29 years in the OPS district, Johnson shares his pride in his contributions to
education. He views his role as an opportunity to make a lasting impact on students lives.
Johnson is most proud of his children, who attended Omaha Public Schools their whole lives. Both of
them graduated from North and went on to college and had success of their own.
Johnson loves his job has stated that he forever wants to work at North, especially due to
the success of his children.
“For me, if I was ever going to have a job being involved in athletics as an administrator,
this is the only place I want to do it at,” said Johnson.
For those considering a career in education, Johnson encourages future educators to
pursue their goals. He recommends programs like Ed Rising and Teaching as a Profession,
which can provide valuable lessons for future teachers.
Johnson’s long–standing commitment to student development and community
engagement continues to influence the educational landscape at North.
leadership style with the way he interacted with students, staff, and families. Lee also
inspired Johnson with his similar leadership style of Haynes.
Johnson also noted the managing and interactive skills with coaches that Bartels had as an
athletic director.
“I think all those are things that I took from each one of them and made me think an
athletic administrator would be a role that I would want,” said Johnson.
In his current administrative role, Johnson focuses on working and coordinating with
students, staff, and parents. In his role Johnson loves to educate his students and make
sure families are aware.
“I enjoy working with students, staff and parents,” said Johnson.
Johnson also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between his
professional and personal life. He makes a good effort to schedule time for family and
personal hobbies.
Johnson’s favorite hobbies include exercising, cooking, camping, and spending quality
time with loved ones.
After 29 years in the OPS district, Johnson shares his pride in his contributions to
education. He views his role as an opportunity to make a lasting impact on students lives.
Johnson is most proud of his children, who attended Omaha Public Schools their whole lives. Both of
them graduated from North and went on to college and had success of their own.
Johnson loves his job has stated that he forever wants to work at North, especially due to
the success of his children.
“For me, if I was ever going to have a job being involved in athletics as an administrator,
this is the only place I want to do it at,” said Johnson.
For those considering a career in education, Johnson encourages future educators to
pursue their goals. He recommends programs like Ed Rising and Teaching as a Profession,
which can provide valuable lessons for future teachers.
Johnson’s long–standing commitment to student development and community
engagement continues to influence the educational landscape at North.
