Jane Stonko had a smile on her face Monday morning as she was joined by dozens of long-time friends who had much in common. The smile, and the thing that led to it, probably shouldn’t have surprised anyone that knows her.

 

Stonko was one of the first students to ever walk through the door at Johnson Elementary School. On Monday, she made sure she would be among the last to walk through the school that shaped her life more than perhaps any other person in Bridgeport.

 

“I have been in this building with every principal since its inception in 1950,” said Stonko, who went to class there for the first time in 1952. “I went to first grade here and had Mrs. (Enid) Graham, but then moved to the old grade school, which is now Simpson Grade School.”

 

Stonko vividly recalled the building from decades ago. It was smaller with only the front of the current building in existence, she said.

 

“I don’t remember too much about that first year, other than the trouble I got in,” she laughed.

 

Her memories were more detailed about her career at Johnson Elementary. She began teaching there in 1969 and retired nearly 40 years later in 2007.

 

“It’s the only school I ever worked in,” said Stonko, who initially taught sixth grade before moving into third grade for most of her career. “It has special memories for me … This is very sad for me.”

 

The emotions were flowing by the group that was on hand. It was a virtual “who’s who” of educators and administrators. If you went to school at Johnson Elementary during the years it was open, chances are good someone that taught you and played a part – big or small – in putting you on your career path was there. Someone who played a part in memories stitched into your brain was there.

 

Those memories were shared among Stonko and others gathering Monday to take a look at the building one last time. They were all greeted prior to going into the school by Principal Vicki Huffman, who was thrilled they were able to visit one last time.

 

“You have spent many years here, some more than others and so many lived at work more than we did at home,” said Huffman. “I’m so glad you’re here. Just go in and smile.”

 

The smiles were plentiful as the teachers congregated near the front of the building. Prior to entering, former Principal and Assistant Principal Dennis Stromberg led the group in prayer as they huddled in a circle prior to their final journey.

 

Stromberg served as an assistant to Barry Buffington as well as Myra Townsend. He then was principal for five years, according to former educator Cindy Buffington.

 

His old boss and Cindy’s husband, Barry Buffington, was a fixture at the school for years until his retirement in 2006. Buffington, who was an administrator for 19 and a half years, joined the group for the tour and also recalled fondly his service at Johnson.

 

“The teachers, the staff, the parents, the students all made this special,” said Buffington who began at the school in January of 1987. “You had so few discipline problems with 550 to 600 kids each year and we were able to have fun in a learning environment.”

 

That environment to learn in had its disadvantages. The school didn’t have a gymnasium and other amenities nearly all schools in the area have. And the new $15-plus million Johnson Elementary School will remedy that.

 

“I’m really thrilled they’re getting a gymnasium and a cafeteria. We had to share the same space for a cafeteria, a bus room, a breakfast room, and for uses of physical education,” he said. “We made it work like they’re making it work today, but those changes are long overdue.”

 

One of those who helped make it work was Sue Poole. Poole taught at Johnson Elementary School, primarily in second grade, for an amazing 39 years as part of a 44-year career in education.

 

“I started in a one-room school in Marion County and then I taught two years over at Norwood and then I moved here and stayed for 39 years,” said Poole, who began teaching a combination of first and second grade students under then Principal Boyles. “ … I still follow my former students and one of the best things about being a teacher is that you still hear from them. It’s a result of being able to teach in this building.”

 

The building will soon be gone. The memories, however, will remain.

 

“I’m at loss for words,” said Stonko when asked what made Johnson special. “It would have to be the staff and the principals that I served with and under were among the best in the county. It was the shining star of Harrison County and I’m sure it still is and the staff here, I’m sure, is carrying on just as we did before them.”

 

Poole had similar words.

 

“I’m sad to see the building come down because it holds lots and lots of memories. I know education has to move on and the building is in bad shape and they needed a new school, but I wanted that new building to be when I was here,” said a laughing Poole.

 

Below is a list of those who were on hand Monday compiled by Cindy Buffington of those that were on hand and apologies if a name has been omitted.  Those gathered included Barbara Nutter, Carol Rogers, Mary Cromwell, Sue Poole, Kay Burnett, Alice DeFazio, Barb Farley, Evelyn Griffin, Dee Doak, Debbie Kurka, Pam Kane, Jackie Rexroad, Jane Stonko, Pat Gray, Paula Allman, Donna Vecchio, Brenda Workman, Judy Gehr, Linda Pomeroy, Keith Athey, Barry Buffington, Dennis Stromberg, Debbie Stewart, Jackie Romeo, Ceffie Haught, Anita Lopez, Jane Holbert, Kim Sabo, Candy Belcastro, Charlene Jacobs, Carl Wonderlich, Cindy Buffington, and Ann Davis.

 

These individuals that shaped thousands of lives. They prayed, the laughed, they smiled, they probably cried a little as they walked through the halls of a building where they helped mold lives and had their own lives shaped as well one final time.

 

For that, we owe them our gratitude. And if you have a memory of one of them or another impacting your own life, add a comment below.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the group of former educators gathered just prior to entering the building, while in the second photo Jane Stonko, right, is shown with Cindy  Buffington. In the third photo is long-time educator Sue Poole, while the group prays in the fourth  picture prior to entering the building. In the fifth photo, a group of former teachers talk about past times in the JES hallway. Bottom photo  shows Principal Vicki Huffman addressing those gathered.