Longtime Lake Seneca Elementary principal dies unexpectedly

Teri Johnson, an MCPS educator for more than 45 years, remembered for being ‘student centered’

February 21, 2024 5:27 p.m.

The Lake Seneca Elementary School community is mourning the death of Principal Teri Johnson, a longtime Montgomery County Public Schools educator, who died Sunday after a recent diagnosis of an undisclosed illness.

“Ms. Johnson’s sudden death has left us all with a heavy heart and a deep sense of loss,” acting deputy superintendent Betty Collins wrote in a letter Tuesday to the Germantown school community. “She was an exceptional leader and an integral part of our school community.”

According to Collins, Johnson recently had begun receiving treatment for her illness and died suddenly despite “quick attention” from her medical team.

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The letter did not say how old Johnson was or what exactly caused her death. MCPS was unable to provide that information, MCPS spokesperson Chris Cram said.

According to appointment documents, Johnson was principal at Lake Seneca Elementary for nearly 18 years. She was first appointed to the position in 2006 after serving as the acting principal for a year.

Johnson began her career at MCPS in 1976 as a kindergarten teacher at Rocking Horse Road Elementary School – a now-closed school located in Rockville. From 1977 to 1991 Johnson taught kindergarten and first grade at Viers Mill Elementary School in Silver Spring. She also taught at Waters Landing Elementary School in Germantown from 1991 to 2002 and later served as the staff development and reading initiative teacher until 2003. Before leading Lake Seneca Elementary, Johnson was the assistant principal at Fox Chapel Elementary School in Germantown from 2003 to 2005.

Johnson is remembered as a role model and “student-centered principal who put the needs of her students first,” Collins wrote in the letter. She added that Johnson knew her students well and her “leadership was marked by compassion, understanding and care.”

“Her dedication and hard work have left a lasting impact on our school community,” she wrote.

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A team of mental health professionals from the district will be available to teachers, staff and students for counseling and support services at the school over the next few days, Collins wrote in the letter. She also provided a link to an article with tips for caregivers to talk about grief and loss with their children.

Amanda Dali, who was previously the school’s assistant principal, is now Lake Seneca’s acting principal.

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