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Campbell Alum Made to Order for Hobbton School


Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson just received his master’s of school administration from Campbell University in 2003 and was named principal of Hobbton Middle School in 2004. He may be one of the most inexperienced principals Hobbton Middle has ever had, but he is also one of the most eagerly anticipated.

“The Hobbton staff and community pretty much wanted me to be here,” said Johnson, who served as assistant principal at Hobbton in 2003-2004. “They trained me in this capacity.”

As an assistant principal, Johnson served under retired Sampson County Schools superintendent Gary Weeks, who replaced Becky Jackson as interim principal at Hobbton so that Jackson could move to the central office as director of secondary education and athletics.

“Both Becky Jackson and Gary Weeks definitely taught me how to be a principal,” said Johnson, “and how to meet the needs of the faculty, staff, and students.”

Putting the students first is a major component of Johnson’s educational philosophy. “I’m always thinking about what will benefit the children,” he said. “I’m very student-oriented.”

Johnson also makes it a point to address the needs of the faculty and staff, as well as those of the community. “I have a great staff and I think they find that I’m very easy to talk to,” he said. “I also give parents and members of the community every opportunity to be involved with the school.”

Sampson County superintendent, Dr. Stewart Hobbs, said Johnson is one of the smartest administrators he has ever known. “He’s one of the most knowledgeable and most energetic that I have seen in a long time,” said Hobbs. “In his first year at Hobbton Middle School as assistant principal, he has stepped in and made a name for himself as a leader who shows support for his students, staff, and school. But he also has his school’s support.”

Johnson’s dedication and genuine concern for the educational process are two of his greatest strengths, Hobbs added. “He continually looks for ways in which to grow professionally. If he doesn’t know something, he’s willing to ask for help.”

To see Hobbton Middle move from a School of Distinction to a School of Excellence is one of Johnson’s primary goals. The School of Distinction and School of Excellence designations are made under the state’s ABCs of Public Education program, a comprehensive program focusing on the performance of individual public schools in the basics of reading and mathematics and holding schools accountable for the educational growth of the same groups of students over time. Hobbton Middle School has earned the School of Distinction status for the past three years.

“The staff does a great job of meeting the students’ instructional needs,” Johnson said. “I want Hobbton to continue to develop the holistic view of education, which recognizes that there are many types of learning and that all students can learn.”

Johnson graduated from Campbell University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in physical education. He went on to obtain a master’s degree in education in 2002 and a master’s in school administration in 2003. Johnson’s wife, Kimberly Love Johnson, is also a Campbell graduate. She received a bachelor’s degree in trust management in 2000 and a master’s degree in education in 2002.

Founded in 1887, Campbell University is North Carolina’s second largest private institution of higher education and the second largest Baptist university in the world. Located in Buies Creek, NC, just east of the center of the state, Campbell combines academic excellence and Christian commitment.


Bulletin 0193-07/01/04

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