Johnson Elementary School
Welcome! We hope you come back often
Johnson Elementary School has an enrolment of 126 students from K4 to grade seven. Through this website we hope to share the exciting learning experiences our students and staff are involved in. We hope you enjoy viewing it and visit again soon.
We respectfully acknowledge that Johnson Elementary School is situated upon the traditional territory of the Liard First Nation.
School Growth Plan
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Literacy
Our school is committed to ensuring that every student becomes a proficient reader by implementing evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) framework. Our goal is to close achievement gaps, support struggling readers, and equip all students with strong foundational literacy skills that will support lifelong learning.
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Land & language
Our school, situated on the traditional territory of the Liard First Nation. Our School is committed to honouring the Kaska language and culture. By including Indigenous knowledge, land-based learning, and language preservation into our educational practices, we aim to foster a deep connection between students, their community, and the land.
Our goal is to ensure that Kaska traditions, language, and ways of knowing are embedded into daily learning experiences, strengthening cultural identity and community engagement.
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Whole child
Our school is committed to fostering the holistic development of every student by addressing their academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being. We recognize that students thrive when they feel safe, supported, and engaged in a learning environment that nurtures their unique strengths and identities.
Through a comprehensive Whole Child approach, we aim to empower students to reach their full potential and become resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals.
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Numeracy
Our school is committed to ensuring that every student from Kindergarten through Grade 7 develops strong numeracy skills by implementing evidence-based mathematics instruction grounded in cognitive science and best teaching practices. Our goal is to close achievement gaps, support struggling learners, and equip all students with the foundational math skills necessary for academic success and real-world problem-solving.
School Calendar
Johnson Elementary School Calendar
Our calendar is structured to reflect cultural ways of knowing and doing.
The school year starts in early August and we have multiple extended breaks throughout the year to to spend time with their families while engaged in cultural activities.
A word from our Principal
We are excited to welcome Wade Gemmell as the new Principal of Johnson Elementary School
I am incredibly excited to be joining the Watson Lake community and to serve as the Principal of Johnson Elementary School. It is an honor to step into this leadership role and become part of the dedicated team at both Johnson Elementary School and the First Nations School Board.
With over 33 years in education, including 27 years as a Vice-Principal and Principal (25 of which were in the Chilliwack School District) I’ve had the privilege of working, leading, and learning in eight different schools. Each experience has deepened my passion for building strong, collaborative school communities focused on student learning and success.
I am especially committed to improving outcomes in Literacy (reading, writing, and communication) and Numeracy (computational fluency and problem-solving). I believe in the power of teamwork and open partnerships with staff, families, the Liard First Nation and the broader community to support every student’s journey.
I am a lifelong advocate for place-based learning and I am deeply honored to live and work on the traditional territory of the Liard First Nation. My previous experiences in Hartley Bay (Tsimshian Territory), Bamfield (Huu-ay-aht Territory), and Cultus Lake (Stó:lō Territory) have taught me the value of weaving local indigenous knowledge and traditional teachings in everyday learning for children. I’m looking forward to learning more about Kaska language and building meaningful connections in Watson Lake.
Outside of school, I’m a proud father of three adult children, one of whom will be making the move to the Yukon with me. I enjoy the outdoors, exploring trails by dirt bike, and I’m hoping to add snowmobiling to my Yukon adventures.
I’m truly looking forward to this new chapter and to working alongside the students, families, and staff of Johnson Elementary.
