History and Legacy
Johnson State College's beginnings are humble, to say the least. In 1828, the townspeople of Johnson, Vt., (pop. 1,079) identified the need for instruction beyond the basic reading, writing and arithmetic provided at their one-room "common school." They hired a teacher and began Johnson Academy, an elementary and secondary school. The first class of 16 students met in a local shoemaker's shop, where classes were held until the first permanent building was constructed in 1830.
Even in those early days, teacher education was part of our mission. While the school day focused on subjects like algebra, geometry and natural philosophy, a handful of the students met each morning at 5 a.m. (before regular instruction began) for teacher training.
An Enduring Commitment
Johnson Academy underwent a number of name changes [i.e., Lamoille County Grammar School, Johnson Normal School, Johnson Training School, Johnson Normal School (again), Johnson Teachers College] before becoming Johnson State College in 1962. The scope of our mission has also evolved — from elementary education to teacher training to a liberal arts college education.
One constant, however, has been our commitment to preparing the next generation of educators. Today, we offer bachelor's and master's degree programs in education along with a variety of licensure options.
JSC provides Vermont (and the country — our graduates are eligible for teaching in more than 30 states) with highly qualified, passionate and innovative teachers who transform lives for the better. And chances are, if you are a Vermonter, you have been taught by a JSC graduate.
