Dr. Bryan Johnson

  • Dr. Bryan Johnson, a former corporate executive and accomplished K-12 leader, serves as Superintendent for Atlanta Public Schools, bringing a unique blend of corporate and educational leadership to the role.

    For nearly two decades, Dr. Johnson has dedicated much of his career to public education, serving as a teacher, school administrator, and district administrator. At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), he provided critical counsel as the university completed its current strategic plan and led the development and execution of the 2025-2030 strategic plan. He brings extensive experience in educational leadership, workforce development, business strategy, change management, and collaborative leadership.

    Most recently, Dr. Johnson served as Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Strategy Officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Prior to UTC, he served as Chief Transformation Officer for U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc., where he supported the technology and management teams across the enterprise. From 2017 to 2021, he served as Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, a district educating 45,000 students across 78 schools. Under his leadership, Hamilton County Schools became the fastest-improving school district in Tennessee. Dr. Johnson is recognized as a visionary leader known for spearheading bold changes. In his first year as superintendent, he launched the Future Ready Institutes, career-themed academies across high schools, earning recognition from EdWeek as a “Leader to Learn From” in 2020. During the pandemic, he led a community effort to provide high-speed internet to every economically disadvantaged student household in the district for 10 years, addressing the digital divide.

    Superintendent Johnson's 100 Day Plan

    Dr. Johnson has received numerous accolades for his leadership, including being named the 2021 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year by the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents and honored as a National Superintendent of the Year finalist. He was also spotlighted as a Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association and recognized as a 2020 Outstanding Young Alumnus by Austin Peay State University. He serves on numerous boards and is actively engaged in the Chattanooga community.

    Before his tenure in Chattanooga, Dr. Johnson spent 10 years in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, where he rose to the position of Chief Academic Officer. Under his leadership, the district was ranked number one for student academic growth for two consecutive years. Dr. Johnson holds degrees from Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, and Trevecca University, where he earned a doctorate in educational leadership. He is married and has two children, one of whom is school-age.