Athletics Director
Ms. Monica Johnson is passionate about helping students grow into confident leaders through athletics. With a background in physical education and a talent for building programs that empower young athletes, she believes in the power of encouragement, resilience, and joyful competition. Ask her about the sixth-grade buzzer-beater that had the whole gym on its feet — or her Pez dispenser collection!
Joined Graland In
2022
2022
Favorite Interaction With Students
Celebrating a student when they accomplish something out of their comfort zone and demonstrate grit.
Celebrating a student when they accomplish something out of their comfort zone and demonstrate grit.
Most Inspiring Graland Program
Athletics and Drama — I'm always amazed by what Graland students are capable of.
Athletics and Drama — I'm always amazed by what Graland students are capable of.
Why I Work at Graland
The K–8 model lets eighth graders experience true leadership, setting them up for success in high school. I love the community support for programming, the "can-do" spirit, and the strong collaboration among faculty.
The K–8 model lets eighth graders experience true leadership, setting them up for success in high school. I love the community support for programming, the "can-do" spirit, and the strong collaboration among faculty.
Favorite Graland Moment
Coach K’s sixth-grade girls' basketball nailbiter of a game last winter. They eked out the win with a buzzer-beater! The whole gym went wild!
Coach K’s sixth-grade girls' basketball nailbiter of a game last winter. They eked out the win with a buzzer-beater! The whole gym went wild!
Graland Trip I Love
Grade 6 Southwest Trip
Grade 6 Southwest Trip
Professional Passion
Nurturing the potential of students, colleagues, and programs
Nurturing the potential of students, colleagues, and programs
Lifelong Learner
I’m always exploring how to best support whole-child development through movement, mindset, and motivation.
I’m always exploring how to best support whole-child development through movement, mindset, and motivation.
Fun Fact
I have a Pez dispenser collection.
I have a Pez dispenser collection.
Life Goal
Make everyone around me feel seen and supported.
Make everyone around me feel seen and supported.
Outside Graland, I'm…
A live music nut.
A live music nut.
Other Than Graland, I Support
Team Hoyt — supporting disabled and able-bodied individuals as they participate together in community events like the Colfax Marathon.
Team Hoyt — supporting disabled and able-bodied individuals as they participate together in community events like the Colfax Marathon.
Hometown
Cleveland, OH (Strongsville)
Cleveland, OH (Strongsville)
Favorite Childhood Memory
Swimming all day in the summer
EducationSwimming all day in the summer
BSed – Ohio University
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
