Annie
Johnson
1866-1875
first female principal
Annie Johnson holds the distinction of being the first woman principal of the State Normal School. At the time,
the school was run by an all-male Board of Visitors, and her predecessors had been men. According to the
Massachusetts Board of Education report from 1867, which included remarks made by Governor Bullock at her
inauguration, the Board’s decision to appoint a woman was reached after much deliberation. Governor Bullock in
particular stressed the merits of women in these positions of power, given that the school specialized in educating
female teachers. She assumed the administration position at the State Normal School in 1866. During her term,
she oversaw the remodeling of the school, the implementation of a more advanced course of study, and the
purchase of additional land for the construction of the first living quarters for students and faculty. Johnson also
revived the model school program at the Normal School in 1870, so that teaching students could practice lesson
plans upon pupils from the surrounding community. The program was successful, and practice teaching is still
required to this day, and has been an essential tool in training future educators at Framingham State. Upon her
resignation in 1875, Johnson had proven any skeptics wrong and led the school into a new stage of excellence.