Dr. Damian Johnston

Dr. Damian B. Johnston (she/her) serves as the Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Springfield Township and brings more than three decades of experience across a wide range of educational roles. Her professional journey has included early childhood education, special education, instructional coaching, and leadership positions in both school-based and district-level contexts.  She has been working in Springfield Township since 2015.  

Dr. Johnston's career has taken root in work that centers on children and families, whether as an infant/toddler home visitor, a teacher of the Deaf, or an administrator at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. These experiences, along with her leadership work in SDST, have shaped her enduring commitment to ensuring that every student is provided with the care, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Equity, community, and compassion form the foundation of her approach to leadership.

Her extensive professional experiences across Southeastern Pennsylvania have deeply influenced her belief that strong leadership grows from clarity, reflection, and collaborative support. Dr. Johnston actively works to integrate the voices and agency of students, families, and educators into the decision-making process, recognizing that authentic participation is essential for meaningful and sustainable system improvement.

In her current role in SDST, Dr. Johnston oversees curriculum, instruction, and assessment while maintaining a strong focus on instructional leadership, professional learning, and district-wide coherence. She partners closely with the superintendent and district leadership team to build instructional and leadership capacity through job-embedded coaching structures. Her work is aimed at helping educators and leaders align their daily practices with district priorities and navigate the complexities of today’s educational environment. Her overarching goal is to ensure that every student graduates with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in the post-secondary pathway of their choice.

Beyond her district responsibilities, Dr. Johnston serves as adjunct faculty at Arcadia University, where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Across all facets of her work, she brings a steadfast commitment to equitable, inclusive, and human-centered leadership that supports the growth and learning of both adults and students.