Kristle Hodges Johnson leads University High School as its founding executive director. She joined the University of Memphis in 2022 to open the dual enrollment lab school on the college campus, with students having access to 30+ free college credits at an R1 institution, which values inclusivity, entrepreneurial mindsets, and other 21st century competencies embedded in this program. In their second year, Kristle and her team have already earned the highest grade for a Tennessee school, an A, which reflects high academic achievement and growth.
Before opening her current school, Kristle, taught and led in a traditional public school setting, before transitioning to a charter school network, as a founding English teacher and literacy coach. Kristle led students to achieve success on their state assessments by landing in the top 20% in the state of Tennessee, while also supporting other teachers to infuse literacy strategies, tiered vocabulary, and independent reading into all subject areas. In 2014, Kristle transitioned into a principal role of a founding school in its second year. She led a high school team to continue to achieve growth and high absolute scores year over year, that rivaled the local school district and outperformed the state results. Under her leadership the school was named a Reward School in Tennessee as well as being recognized as one of the “Best High Schools” by U.S. News and World Reports, 2 consecutive years. The school established an Advanced Placement program, a department chair model, a state championship winning athletic program, and a full college support team in her 5 years of leading there. She grew the enrollment, and graduated the first 3 classes of students, all of which had 100% acceptances into 4-year colleges and universities.
After her first principalship, she became the founding Managing Director of Academics for Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools where she managed the network academic team to develop K-12 curriculum and assessments, and train teachers and leaders on best instructional strategies.
In all of her roles she sets a high bar for herself and those around her, she forges strong relationships with team members, and always puts student success at the front of her decision making. Kristle completed her BA in English from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, her Masters of Education from Christian Brothers University, and her Educational Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University. Beyond education, she enjoys writing poetry, traveling, and laughing with her husband and two daughters.