Attempting to sum up someone's life work in a few words, in a few sentences, or even in a few paragraphs becomes a daunting task for anyone, especially for those who worked with Armon D. Johannsen, the namesake for the Poudre School District Johannsen Support Services Center.
“It isn’t by accident that the central office is called the Johannsen Center," said Monte Peterson, who worked with Johannsen for almost 30 years as they shifted through various roles in the district and stages of life. "He epitomized what we saw… and exemplified the type of leadership that PSD should have, would have, did have, and hopes to continue to have in the future.”
Johannsen passed away at the age of 87 in September 2022, surrounded by his wife, Darlene, and his two kids, Carl and Krissa. He left an impactful legacy on the PSD community and many memories for everyone who had the chance to know him.
Originally from Iowa, Johannsen began his long career in education in Dubuque, where he graduated from college in 1957. After three years, he and his wife, moved to Littleton, Colorado, where he continued to work as a teacher and coach before shifting between the roles of counselor, athletic director, and assistant principal at various schools. In 1973 his family moved to Fort Collins, where he served as the principal of Fort Collins High School. Johannsen established variable scheduling there, allowing students to pick a variety of schedules to fit their needs and interests.
Around the same time, Peterson was the principal at O'Dea Elementary School, and he recalls Johannsen's interest in the continuum of K12 education. He would ask principals from elementary and middle schools for advice to look at the bigger picture and use it to help students attending high school.
“He is, without question, one of the most outstanding educators I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with,” said Peterson.
Although Peterson has many stories about Johannsen's skills as an educator, he believes people should know Johannsen cared and was a great listener, and that supersedes everything else. Johannsen was the kind of person who knew his students well, knew the parents by name, and knew his staff and all their interests and hobbies. Peterson said Johannsen was someone who connected to people as individuals and because he valued that human interaction, many people respected him.
Johannsen held several titles within the district and played an impactful role in many lives. To those who worked with him, the most important roles he filled included mentor, colleague and friend.
He had a great sense of humor, and even in stressful times, he knew how to make people feel better.
Always there for a helping hand or an encouraging word, he knew how to see the best in everyone. Even though he held high expectations, he wouldn't ask anyone to do something he wouldn't do himself.
In 1981 Johannsen transferred to the district's central administration and worked there until his retirement in 1991.
Sallie Coonts fondly recalls her dear friend. She worked directly with Johannsen when the district had three high schools and area superintendents. Together they held many conversations, but the one that stands out the most to Coonts, is when Johannsen told her, "Don't ever, ever burn a bridge when you're working with people. Remember, there are always two sides. Build a bridge, don't break it."
Johannsen undoubtedly built many bridges between students and staff within PSD with remarkable leadership, mentorship and friendship. His legacy not only lives on with his name on the building but with all the lives he touched. He will be greatly missed by many people.
Peterson said Johannsen left a mark on PSD in the most positive way he could ever say. “His legacy is many, many successful administrators that learned from him and his mentorship... and many effective leaders that carried on what was good for kids because that’s where his heart was, that was the guiding decision process he used,” said Peterson.