Johnson Elementary School
Welcome! We hope you come back often
Johnson Elementary School has an enrolment of 126 students from K4 to Grade 7.
Through this website, we hope to share the exciting experiences of our Learners and staff. We hope you enjoy viewing it and visit again soon.
We respectfully acknowledge that Johnson Elementary School is situated upon the Territory of the Liard First Nation.
School Growth Plan
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Literacy
Johnson Elementary School is committed to ensuring that every Learner becomes a proficient reader by implementing evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) framework.
Our goal is to close achievement gaps, support struggling readers, and equip all Learners with strong foundational literacy skills for lifelong learning.
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Land and Language
Situated on the Territory of the Liard First Nation, Johnson Elementary School (JES) is committed to honouring the Kaska language and Kaska culture.
We aim to foster deep connections between and among JES Learners, the community of Watson Lake, and the Land by integrating Indigenous knowledge, land-based learning, and language preservation into our educational practices.
Our goal is to ensure that Kaska traditions, language, and ways of knowing are embedded into daily learning experiences, strengthening Learners’ cultural identity and community engagement.
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Whole Child
Johnson Elementary School (JES) is committed to fostering Learners’ holistic development by addressing their academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being.
We recognize that Learners thrive when they feel safe, supported, and engaged in a learning environment that nurtures their unique strengths and identities.
Through a comprehensive Whole Child approach, we are empowering JES Learners to reach their full potential and become resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals.
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Numeracy
Johnson Elementary School (JES) is committed to ensuring that all our Learners develop strong numeracy skills by implementing evidence-based mathematics instruction grounded in cognitive science and best practices in Education.
Our goal is to close achievement gaps, support struggling Learners, and equip all JES Learners with the foundational numeracy skills necessary for academic success and real-world problem-solving.
School Calendar
Johnson Elementary School Calendar
Our calendar is structured to reflect Kaska ways of knowing and doing.
The school year starts in early August, and we have multiple extended breaks throughout the year for Learners to spend time with their families while engaged in cultural activities.
A message from Johnson Elementary School’s Principal, Wade Gemmell
I am incredibly excited to be joining the community of Watson Lake and to serve as Johnson Elementary School’s (JES’s) Principal.
It is an honour to step into this leadership role and become part of the dedicated teams at JES and the First Nations School Board.
With over 33 years in Education, including 27 years as a Vice-Principal and Principal (25 of which were in the Chilliwack School District), I’ve had the privilege of working, leading, and learning in eight different schools. Each experience has deepened my passion for building strong, collaborative school communities focused on Learner success.
I am especially committed to improving outcomes in Literacy (reading, writing, and communication) and Numeracy (computational fluency and problem-solving). I believe in the power of teamwork and open partnerships with staff, families, the Liard First Nation, and the broader community to support every Learner’s journey.
I am a lifelong advocate for place-based learning, and I am deeply honoured to live and work on the Territory of the Liard First Nation. My previous experiences in Hartley Bay (Tsimshian Territory), Bamfield (Huu-ay-aht Territory), and Cultus Lake (Stó:lō Territory) have taught me the value of weaving local Indigenous knowledge and traditional teachings in everyday learning.
I’m looking forward to learning more about the Kaska language and building meaningful connections in Watson Lake.
Outside of school, I’m a proud father of three adult children, one of whom will be moving to the Yukon with me. I enjoy the outdoors, exploring trails by dirt bike, and I’m hoping to add snowmobiling to my Yukon adventures.
I’m truly looking forward to this new chapter and to working alongside the Learners, families, and staff at JES.
Wade Gemmell,
Johnson Elementary School Principal
