Bernadeia Johnson, deputy superintendent of the Minneapolis schools and the district's only candidate for superintendent, outlined a vision of hope and hard work Monday night in the first of three events scheduled to introduce her to the public.
 
A largely supportive crowd of about 75 people, including several school board directors and district administrators, showed up on a snowy evening at the Minneapolis Park Board Headquarters in North Minneapolis.
 
Johnson talked of how her childhood in segregated Selma, Ala., and frequent visits to Minneapolis helped shape her outlook on diversity, equity in education and the importance of community and family support for children. She presented a vision for the Minneapolis schools that centers on what she said are her core beliefs about teaching and learning and her optimism about support from the community.

A question-and-answer session followed her remarks, and most who spoke expressed support for Johnson. The school board announced last month that Johnson would be the only candidate to succeed Superintendent Bill Green, who is leaving his job in July to teach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
 
Two more of these sessions are planned — this morning at the American Indian Center, 1520 E. Franklin Avenue (8:30-10 a.m.) and Wednesday evening at Field School, 4645 4th Ave. S. (6:30-8 p.m.). The school board will conduct Johnson's formal interview for the position on Thursday in the assembly room at the district headquarters, 807 Broadway St. NE., at 6 p.m..
 
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