Meet the Principal
Principal Tiffany Johnson leads Whittier Elementary School with a vision centered on access, curiosity, innovation, and meaningful opportunities for every student.
Principal Tiffany Johnson
Principal, Whittier Elementary School
At Whittier, Principal Johnson's vision for students is grounded in creating meaningful entry points into STEM and helping students see themselves as capable participants in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
Hear From Principal Johnson
Learn more about Principal Johnson's vision for Whittier Elementary School and the opportunities she wants every student to have.
A Vision for STEM at Whittier
When I think of STEM, I think about how historically, marginalized populations have been excluded from the education and societal benefits that those careers provide. My vision for Whittier Elementary School is that all our students develop and maintain a genuine interest in the sciences, math, engineering, and technology.
To do this, I believe we need to stoke student interest in these fields as well as debunk the myth of “I’m not good at math and science.” I have found that most children, even those who believe they aren’t mathematically or scientifically inclined, have some inquiry in the field, whether it’s how a video game system is created or how different germs make us sick.
STEM to me is about finding an entry point into fields that may seem “difficult” or only for certain students. STEM is everywhere and as an institution of learning, it is our job to create ways for students to engage in the many ways that our lives are made easier and more efficient by the advancements we’ve made in those fields.
STEM is about access and innovation and some of the best and brightest minds are waiting to be activated.
— Principal Johnson
What This Vision Means for Students
Access
Every student should have opportunities to explore STEM and see themselves as capable of contributing to these fields.
Curiosity & Inquiry
Students can find connections to science, mathematics, engineering, and technology through the questions and interests they already bring to school.
Innovation
STEM provides students with opportunities to understand how ideas, discoveries, and technology can make our lives easier and more efficient.
Every Student Has an Entry Point
Whittier's STEM vision starts with helping students recognize that curiosity matters, that their questions have value, and that there is a place for them in the world of STEM.