Amanda J. A. Johnson is the founder and executive director of Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School, a college preparatory school that opened in July 2018 in Clarksdale, MS. Clarksdale Collegiate was the first charter school to open in the Mississippi Delta which currently serves 600 scholars in K-7th grade and will grow to serve close to 1,000 scholars in K-12th grade by 2028.

Amanda earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN and began her career as an educator with Teach For America in 2003. She taught second grade in the Delta region of Arkansas for three years. Next, she taught sixth grade at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School. Two years later, she completed a Masters in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University in Chicago, IL and founded and led KIPP Delta Elementary Literacy Academy (KIPP Delta ELA) for four years. Amanda completed the Building Excellent Schools fellowship in preparation to open Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School and is seeking a Doctorate of Education in learning and organizational change from Baylor University.

Amanda is an educational leader and engaged servant in her community. She serves as the board vice chair for Southern Bancorp Community Partners and as a board member of Spring Initiative. Amanda is an active member of the Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She also co-leads an 80-member Girl Scout Troop.

Amanda is married to Sanford Johnson and has two fierce daughters, Lorelei (12) and Ava Jae (9).