Jeanie Johnston named Wright County Distinguished Retiree

Jeanie Johnston was recently named the Wright County Distinguished Retiree for 2025 by the Wright County Retired Teachers and Other Personnel.
Johnston will be honored at the Region 10 meeting in Lebanon on Friday, Oct. 17.
More on Johnston
Jeanie Johnston, a lifelong educator and passionate community advocate, was born in Fayetteville, Ark., and raised in the close-knit town of West Fork. As one of five siblings, she grew up with strong values of hard work, education, and service instilled by her family.
After graduating from West Fork High School in 1980, she pursued her college education at the University of Arkansas and later Missouri State University.
Jeanie began her career in education in 1987 at the Norwood R-1 School District, where she served as a dedicated classroom teacher, Reading Recovery specialist, and Parent Educator with the Parents as Teachers program. Her commitment to literacy and student development guided her through nearly four decades of service, including leadership roles in curriculum development, professional learning and instructional coaching.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (1993), Master of Science in Education with a Reading emphasis (2000), and a Master’s in Educational Administration (2004).
She later served as K-12 Principal in the Risco R-II School District before returning to the classroom as a reading and literacy coach in Marshfield R-1 School District.
Jeanie officially retired in May 2022 after 36 years in public education.
Throughout her career, Jeanie was recognized for her excellence in teaching, including being named Teacher of the Year at Hubble Elementary in 2012. She has also served in leadership roles with the International Reading Association and Missouri Reading Initiative.
Since retiring, Jeanie remains active in education and community service.
She serves on the Head Start Policy Council Committee and the Ozark Action, Inc. Board of Directors, continuing to support early childhood education and regional development.
She is also an active member and current membership chairperson of her local chapter of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA).
Jeanie and her husband, Herbie, live in Norwood. Together they enjoy spending time with their family, camping, traveling and listening to bluegrass music. She continues to cherish connections with former colleagues and gives back through her church, Norwood Baptist, where she has long served as a Sunday School teacher.