October 22, 2025 —Fans of the comics genre might notice similarities between Kristina Johnson and their favorite superheroes. She, too, has two distinct callings—Cobb Schools teacher by day, Cobb Schools varsity volleyball coach by night. In the early morning hours, she imparts knowledge to first-grade minds at Due West Elementary School as “Mrs. Johnson,” but after a midday transformation, she stokes competitive fires and fierceness into Harrison High School volleyballers as “Coach Johnson.”

An Origin Story That is Cobb Strong

Equally similar to many comic book crusaders, Kristina Johnson also has an origin story. Hers includes Cobb Schools woven throughout. After arriving from out of state as a pre-teen and attending Lost Mountain Middle School, Johnson entered Harrison High School, where she became a volleyball star. With a unique proficiency at setting her teammates up for spirit-crushing attacks, she graduated as the school’s All-Time Assist Leader. This is one of many reasons Johnson has been awarded induction into the Hoyas’ Athletic Hall of Fame.

Kristina’s husband, Adam, called her “a beast on the volleyball court,” and Harrison Athletic Director Wes Ellis emphasized that “her prowess and tenacity as a player made her one of the best in school history.” This is proven true by the many accolades she earned as a setter in high school. Once an All-County, All-State, and Area 5 Player of the Year as a Cobb student-athlete, Johnson is humbled by her newest recognition.

“It's a huge honor,” she said.  “With Harrison being such a big school, being inducted into their Hall of Fame is truly just a blessing. I'm very thankful.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Unsatisfied with near superhuman feats as a player, Johnson now takes the court as the leader of the volleyball program at her alma mater. Clapping her encouragement and instruction from the Hoyas’ bench, she led her team to a Class 6A-Region 3 title this year, in only her second season as the head coach.

“Coach Johnson is passionate about the program, her players, the school, and the community,” AD Ellis said. “She does a great job developing a positive culture of competitiveness that her players enjoy being a part of.”

Her players echo that thought.

“She pushes us to do the best we can every day,” said Harrison senior libero Addison Cooley. “And she makes it a fun and positive environment. She's someone I can always go to if I need anything, and she cares a lot about me outside the aspect of volleyball.”

One of the coach's superpowers may very well be her ability to forge unshakable connections that unite her team.

“Coach Johnson is like a family member to me,” agreed Harrison junior defensive specialist Emma Gallegos. “She makes us feel really special. She is tough on us, but I think it's definitely out of love, because she wants the best for us and for the team. I think it's just like a special type of love.”

“I love coaching, and I love these girls,” Johnson beamed. “I love developing who they are as people, not only as players. Volleyball was such a huge part of my life growing up, so I love being able to give back to the sport that truly gave so much to me.”

Unleashing Power in the Classroom

Coach Johnson’s success near a volleyball net is easily defined by blocks and kills, or wins and losses. For her alternate character, Mrs. Johnson, success in leading an elementary classroom is discovered more over time. However, her efforts to achieve those fundamental wins may also deserve Hall of Fame recognition. Due West Principal Cissi Kale makes that case for this first-grade teacher in her school.

“Kristina’s superpower is turning her competitive spirit into motivation for her students,” Principal Kale explained. “She makes learning exciting, challenges her students to push themselves, and celebrates every victory along the way. Her students feel like they’re part of a team, and that’s exactly what Cobb’s One Team mission is all about.”

Amy Baird is a Special Education Teacher at Due West and shares the first-grade inclusion classroom with Johnson. She noted an additional superpower her co-teacher possesses.

“Kristina has the superpower of getting down on the students’ level, finding something they have in common, and meeting them where they are,” Baird explained. “She breaks through their walls, comforts them, and lets them know that our classroom is a safe space where they are seen, heard, and loved.”

From high school athletes to elementary school learners, Johnson has a gift for building meaningful connections.

“First graders are fun,” Johnson said. “I get the most joy when they might be struggling with something, and all of a sudden that light bulb comes on and clicks for them.”

Dynamic Cobb Commitment

Johnson’s Cobb connection goes beyond having been a student-athlete and now teaching and coaching for Cobb Schools. She is also the proud parent of three children who attend Cobb Schools. Her daughter, Camryn (eighth grade), and son, Reed (sixth grade), attend McClure Middle School, and her son, Asher, is a fourth grader at Due West.

“I'm fortunate that my kids go to Cobb Schools,” she said confidently, “because I know that they are being pushed and challenged. I just think Cobb Schools are the best place to learn. And then I love that my kids are going to get to transition into Harrison, where I went, and will represent Harrison High School the way I did.”

Her deep connection to the Harrison community strengthens her impact as both a coach and a teacher.

“I love having coaches with a connection to the programs they are a part of,” Harrison Athletic Director Ellis said in support. “Having her type of involvement and commitment is huge for any high school or program and speaks to how special Harrison High School is. We are blessed that Kristina and her family have chosen to invest in us for the past, present, and future.”

Due West Principal Kale shares the same sentiment.

“It’s incredibly comforting to know Kristina is fully invested in Cobb Schools,” Kale said in agreement. “From coaching at the high school level to raising her own children in Cobb, she’s a leader who believes in what we stand for in this district. Her commitment to our students and community is the kind of dedication that makes Cobb such a special place to work and learn.”

That may be Johnson’s truest similarity to a comic book character: her dedication to a larger mission—One Team, One Goal, Student Success. She doesn’t need a cape or a secret identity to be considered a superhero. Her commitment to her students and players is evidence enough. 

h/t Non-branded archive photos courtesy of the Johnson family