At Boonville Elementary School Thursday four students struggled in the strong wind and bright sunshine to bring down the American flag and the state flag.

Inside, Annette Johnson continued preparations for another day as the interim principal at the Yadkin County elementary school

A Yadkin County native and Starmount High School graduate, she was named to the top spot in early February by the Yadkin County Board of Education when the school’s former principal David Brown retired in January.

“I started at the beginning of February. I was here as assistant principal,” she said.

“This was my first year here. Before that I served as a technology director for a school system and was looking to get back into the schools a little bit and get closer to kids. In the fall I was serving dual purposes. This is my 19th year in education.”

She is a graduate of Appalachian State University.

“I started out teaching English. I have a master’s in instructional technology and a master’s in school administration, all from Boone.”

Technology has changed a lot since she got into education.

“When I first started teaching, there was one computer in a classroom, and that was it. Now we have smartboards in all of our classrooms. They are very interactive classrooms. It really draws a lot into our instruction.”

She also has a special connection to the school.

“I have a sixth grade daughter named Ashley and a third grade daughter named Abbey, and both of them go here. It’s nice. This is a great school. I taught here from 1998 to 2004.”

After teaching for several years, she said, she took on some administrative responsibilities at the central office.

“It’s really great to be back here in Boonville. It’s a great school.

She also said she has enjoyed interacting with the faculty at the school.

“The staff is very supportive of our students. They have very high expectations,” she said. “We have about 440 students and about 40 teachers and support staff.”

Her experience in different classrooms has offered insights into position and how to better prepare students.

“It was a balance between enjoying teaching students, and I loved English. I was at the high school for three years and moved down to elementary. You can do a lot more with elementary kids.

“You can help connect the subjects together and let them see how the pieces fit together. It’s not just science. It’s not social studies or English. You can see how it fits together, and you can really make a difference in their lives.”

There is a nice computer lab at the school as she pointed out, strolling down the hallway.

She also said students are preparing for the school’s spring theatrical production “Throughly Modern Millie.”

Johnson was also quick to recognize Kathy Smythers, the school’s current Teacher of the Year. Smythers teaches children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Balloting for this year’s top teacher isn’t completed. “We’ve not voted for 2010,” said Johnson.

At the flagpole four students, including Andrew Crouse, 11, a fifth grader, were helping out. “I like her,” she said of Johnson.

Angelica Almaraz, 11, a fifth grader, said, “She’s fine. I like her.”

Brittany Brown, 10, a fifth grader, said, “I like everything about this school. We’re taking down the flag.”

Hunter Johnson had sunglasses on. He is 11, a fifth grader, and when asked if the crew was being paid for the duties, he said they were not.

“I like the principal Ms. Johnson. She’s great. There are not really any bad things to say about her,” he said.

Johnson attends at Sandy Springs Baptist Church.

Her husband is Scott Johnson, who teaches at Starmount High School and serves as the football coach.