Principal Message

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kim johnston

Welcome! I am so excited for my fourth year at Sand Springs Elementary! My name is Kimberly Johnston, but the students call me "Mrs. J." I am excited for the new year and our theme of "United in Building Confident Learners." It will center around being builders and working together. You may notice images of Legos throughout the school to go with the building theme. 

We have many new faces at the school again this year for you to meet:

  • Mrs. Jessica Wallenmeyer- Kindergarten Teacher
  • Ms. Emily Wischerath- ASC Kindergarten Teacher
  •                                     - ASC 1st/2nd Grade Teacher
  • Ms.                              - Part-Time Sp. Ed. Resource Teacher
  • Maestra Hernandez- 1st Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher
  • Mrs. Leslee Bybee- Behavior Coach
  • Miss Serra Kimber- Lunchroom Supervisor
  • Mrs. Karen Davies- Sp. Ed. Resource TA
  • Ms. Jessica Allen- School Nurse
  • Ms. Emmy Colquitt, Ms. Lori Lund, Ms. Claire Colquitt, Mrs. Hillarie Millsaps- ASC Teacher Assistants

A little bit about me:

Prior to coming to Sand Springs, I was the principal at Valley View Elementary in Bountiful for six years. Before becoming a principal, I was an Assistant Principal at Endeavour, Columbia, and Heritage Elementary Schools. Before that, I taught 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade. I was an elementary Media Specialist for seven years before becoming a teacher. I graduated from Weber State University with my BA in Elementary Education and the University of Utah with two master's degrees, one in Reading/Literacy and the second in Educational Leadership & Policy.

I have been married for 37 years to my husband Craig and we have two married children, Zack and Kaitlin and their spouses Brittney and Adam. After a long wait, I finally became a grandma! I am a grandmother of three grandsons Bridger 6, Lincoln 5, and Jackson 11 months. They are the light of my life!

We have a Goldendoodle named Josie, who is almost ten years old, a Newfiedoodle Ruby who is almost 3, and her "baby" Oakley who is 1.5 and weighs over 100 lbs. We live on an acre of land where we raise chickens, do beekeeping, and gardening. In my "spare" time, I like to read, sew, garden, camp, hike, and be outside in nature. We have enjoyed exploring the many off-road trails in Utah in our RZR. I most enjoy spending time with my family.

I am a member of the Utah Elementary Principal's Association as well as our Davis chapter. I most recently attended the Plain Talk premier Literacy Conference in March, Deloitte University's Courageous Principals II Conference in April, and the 2023 Model Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida in June. I have participated with the rest of my staff in the LETRS New Science of Reading Training both for the administrator and all 8 units of literacy instruction. I have a passion for learning and discovering and am excited to share that with my faculty and students. I love my job and can't wait to meet all of you Stallions and parents this year at Sand Springs!

At Sand Springs we are a Team. We work together wit teachers, students and parents to create the best atmosphere for learning. We emphasize kindness and respect. we are a Restrorative Practices Model School in our district where those practices are embedded in our culture. Students and teachers practice Mindfulness and L2Breathe techniques daily along with GrowthMindset thinking. Our 4 S Squad Provides service to the school along with our Hope Squad which promotes kindness and inclusiveness. We are in the process of becoming a Purple Heart School which welcomes and assists active military families in transitioning.

I want you to know I am committed to providing your children a learning environment where they feel not only physically safe, but emotionally safe to learn and achieve. I  value parent involvement and feedback in their child's education. Please feel free to email me at kjohnston@dsdmail.net or call and schedule an appointment if you need to speak with me. 

I look forward to a fantastic school year! Welcome to the Sand Springs Family!

Mrs. J


242 North 3200 West

Layton, Utah 84041