October 30, 2025 -- For Dr. Staci Rouse, returning to Johnson Park Middle School marked a true homecoming. The veteran educator began her teaching career in the same building she now leads as principal, and her deep connection to the school continues to shape her vision for Johnson Park’s future.
“I started my teaching career here,” Rouse said. “It’s very personal to me to be able to lead in the place where I first started. [Johnson Park] is where I grew up as an educator, and now I get to help it grow again.”
Dr. Rouse has dedicated all 26 years of her career to Columbus City Schools (CCS), serving in roles that span from classroom teacher to administrator. After beginning as a special education teacher at Johnson Park, she went on to teach at South High School before entering leadership through the District’s Leadership Intern program. She later served as an assistant principal at Sherwood and Wedgewood middle schools before returning “home” to Johnson Park, where she’s now in her fifth year as principal.
Her leadership philosophy is grounded in compassion, inclusivity, and a belief that every decision must benefit students.
“All of my decisions—whether about instruction, budgeting, or celebrations—are made with the end goal of helping students reach their full potential,” Rouse said.
Under her leadership, the school has steadily improved. Since Rouse became principal, the school’s rating on the Ohio School Report Card has risen from a 2-star rating to a 2.5-star rating. Johnson Park was recently recognized as a Turnaround School by Area Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Patton, a milestone that represents far more than improved data points.
Patton noted that Rouse shifted the school’s climate and culture through innovative strategies.
“I've watched her build support systems that catch students before they fall through the cracks, establish restorative practices that have dramatically reduced suspensions while actually improving behavior, and create structures for mental health support that recognize the very real challenges our young adolescents face,” Patton said.
Patton’s observations underscore the depth of Rouse’s approach, a focus that extends far beyond discipline or data points.
“It’s not just about attendance or test scores,” Dr. Rouse said. “A turnaround means shifting the culture. [It’s about] how students feel about coming to school, how teachers support one another, and how we reconnect with our community.”
That transformation can be felt in the hallways. With newly installed lockers, colorful art, and a revitalized support program that teaches and rewards positive behaviors, Johnson Park is a place where students feel seen and supported.
“If students feel connected to school, they make better choices,” Rouse said. “We’re building that sense of belonging every day.”
Rouse’s leadership style reflects the same nurturing energy she brought to her classroom years ago. Whether she’s rallying staff to support a student in need—like the time she raised $265 in ten minutes for a valedictorian whose family lost his graduation gift—or greeting students by name each morning, her actions embody the close-knit school community she often speaks about.
“I want students to feel noticed and cared for because I don’t always know what they’re dealing with outside of school,” Rouse said. “I can plant a seed if they remember my voice, or a word of encouragement that can carry them through.”
Her relationships with students extend far beyond the middle school years. Many of her former students, now adults, still stop her in the community to thank her for the impact she made.
“Those moments remind me that small acts of care can have lifelong effects,” Rouse said. “That’s what keeps me going.”
As she looks ahead, Rouse hopes to continue building a culture where students and staff alike feel proud to be part of Johnson Park.
“When I first started teaching here, it felt like a village,” Rouse said. “That’s the feeling we’ve rebuilt, and that’s what makes this work worth it.”
