Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) proudly announces the selection of Melissa Johnson as its new Executive Director of Early Childhood, effective April 6, 2026. Following a comprehensive national search that included three rounds of interviews and stakeholder feedback sessions with early childhood staff, Ms. Johnson emerged as the stand-out candidate from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her selection reflects both the depth of talent cultivated within Saginaw ISD and the caliber of leaders the organization continues to attract to serve children and families across the Great Lakes Bay Region.
For Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier, the selection represents an important step forward for early childhood at Saginaw ISD. “Melissa Johnson stood out in a highly competitive national search not only because of her credentials, but because of her clear commitment to servant leadership,” said Dr. Collier. “She understands that strong systems create strong outcomes for children. I look forward to partnering with her as we continue building sustainable systems that support our educators, empower families, and ensure every preschool student in Saginaw County has access to an exceptional early learning experience.”
Saginaw ISD’s Early Childhood department serves more than 2,000 preschool students throughout Saginaw County through district-operated and partner programs, including Early Head Start, Head Start, and the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). As a part of this role, Ms. Johnson will lead two district-owned preschools, Jerome Preschool and Claytor Preschool, operate the rented Brucker Preschool, and manage many additional subsites to expand access for families. In 2025, Jerome Preschool underwent a transformative renovation and reopened as a Green STEM campus, now home to the first preschool coding program in Michigan. As Michigan advances Governor Whitmer’s Pre-K for All initiative to expand access to high-quality early learning, Saginaw ISD continues positioning its programs to meet growing demand while strengthening instructional systems and family partnerships. The selection of the department’s next executive leader was therefore a critical and strategic decision for the organization.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Erin Senkowski highlighted Ms. Johnson’s instructional depth and experience supporting educators and families. “Melissa brings an exceptional blend of classroom experience, educator coaching, family engagement, and STEM-focused research to Saginaw ISD,” said Dr. Senkowski. “Her background in strengthening instructional practice, designing professional learning systems, and supporting comprehensive early childhood programming will be invaluable.”
Ms. Johnson brings experience across classroom instruction, educator coaching, program administration, and higher education. She began her career as a Pre-K educator and most recently served as Director of City Seats at Agenda for Children in New Orleans, where she supported instructional systems, expanded access to high-quality early learning, and advanced early intervention efforts within early childhood settings. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Louisiana State University, where her research focuses on supporting STEM engagement in toddler classrooms through intentional environmental design.
Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Ms. Johnson shared, “I’m truly excited to join the Saginaw ISD team. I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for early childhood education to support children, educators, and families as they grow and thrive together. Early Childhood Education is deeply relational and foundational to lifelong learning, and I am honored to serve alongside a team that is so clearly committed to that mission.”
As Executive Director of Early Childhood, Ms. Johnson will lead one of the district’s largest departments, guiding instructional vision, program implementation, and community partnerships that support young learners across Saginaw County.
ABOUT MELISSA JOHNSON
Melissa Johnson is an early childhood education professional whose work spans classroom teaching, educator coaching, program administration, and higher education. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, she earned degrees from Xavier University of Louisiana, the University of Louisiana–Monroe, and Louisiana State University, where she completed her Educational Specialist degree and is currently a PhD candidate in their Early Childhood Education program.
Melissa began her career as a Pre-K educator, spending six years creating engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments that supported young children’s curiosity, creativity, and growth. Her classroom experience shaped her commitment to supporting educators and strengthening instructional practice across early learning settings. She went on to coach and train early childhood educators throughout the Greater New Orleans region and later served as a program administrator for a municipally funded initiative serving more than 1,000 children. In these roles, she supported curriculum implementation, designed professional learning experiences, and worked closely with educators to ensure classrooms were nurturing and responsive to children’s needs.
Most recently, Melissa served as Director of City Seats at Agenda for Children, where she supported program compliance, the development of early childhood coaches, and collaboration with community partners to expand access to high-quality early learning and comprehensive support services. She has also served as an adjunct instructor and professional development coach, sharing her expertise with aspiring educators and early childhood practitioners across Louisiana. Melissa has served on the Louisiana Association for the Education of Young Children (LAAEYC) Executive Board and was recently awarded the Clifford Hofwolt Research-in-Progress Award for STEM-Related Inquiry at the Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA) Conference.
Outside of her professional work, Melissa values time with her husband, three children, and extended family and friends. She brings the same curiosity, care, and commitment she holds for young learners and educators into her roles as a parent, partner, and community member. Her work is guided by a belief that early childhood education is both deeply relational and foundational to lifelong learning.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, four public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Director