When Joe Lee and Melownie Johnson moved to downtown Round Rock more than 60 years ago, the couple built a house on a one-block property near Main Street, outfitted with a yard and a newly planted magnolia tree.

As the magnolia tree thrives in the now-booming city, the Johnson family continues to reside in the community where both Joe Lee and Melownie Johnson created a lasting legacy as educators and civil servants.

Johnson, who served as a principal, coach, teacher and bus driver for Round Rock ISD from 1950 to 1986, was recently honored with serving as a namesake of the newest Round Rock ISD elementary school, slated to open in August.

“When I found out the school was named Joe Lee Johnson, I cried,” said Tina Steiner, Round Rock Opportunity Center teacher and former student of Johnson. “This is very historic and it should have happened a long time ago.”

Johnson has a long history with Round Rock ISD, first as a student at the Hopewell Negro School, and eventually serving as principal of the school through its desegregation in 1966. The strong, kind and competitive spirit of Johnson allowed students to see his passion for student success, said Joe D. Johnson, son of Joe Lee and Melownie Johnson.

“When he was at Hopewell, he was pretty strict, but I think he was fair and very likeable,” Johnson said. “Dad was the type of person that got his point across one way or another and got you to understand what he was talking about. If you understood that, you were going to be better later on in life.”

Following desegregation, Johnson began teaching at Round Rock Middle School, now known as C.D. Fulkes Middle School, as a sixth-grade math teacher. Johnson served as a leader of the Young Men’s Club and instilled community ideals in his students. Steiner, who nominated Johnson for the school naming, said her passion for community service is driven by Johnson’s lessons about taking care of neighbors and community members.

“Mr. Johnson not only taught us math, he taught us life,” Steiner said. “Everything I do is kind of mirrored after things he’s done before me. He was just a great role model.”

Round Rock ISD Student Application Specialist Sandra Billingsley grew up in Round Rock and learned sixth-grade math from Johnson. As she heard the news of Johnson becoming the namesake of a school, Billingsley said she found herself talking for 30 minutes about his character.

“It just felt so good to finally come home and say that this great person really did deserve this,” Billingsley said. “I really hope the kids at this school understand how awesome of a person he was.”

Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School is scheduled to open in August and will continue to inspire students to find a love for learning and a passion for continuing education, Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School Principal Gabi Niño said.

“As I have told people in the community that I am principal of Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School, I have been flooded with stories of his legacy in the community,” Niño said. “I am incredibly proud to honor and continue his mission as a dedicated educator, focused on ensuring every student is supported in becoming the best version of themselves.”

About Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School

Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School was approved in the 2014 bond with a bond sale of $36.7 million for the construction project. The school will be located at 2800 Sauls Dr., Austin and will open in August 2016. The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming of Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School at its Dec. 17, 2015 meeting after it was initially proposed Nov. 19, 2015.

The school will open as a Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) Academy, which will give students an opportunity to learn in collaborative spaces and utilize technology. The STEAM academy is aligned with Goal 5 of the district’s Strategic Plan, which centers on creating flexible programs and learning environments.