Ms. LaJoy Johnson-Law is a Ward 8 resident whose daughter attends E.L. Haynes Public Charter School. LaJoy is heavily involved in the education and policy landscape in D.C. for the last decade as an education, special education, and disability advocate. She has previously served as a Board Member at AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School. She has previously served as the President of the University of Phoenix DMV Alumni Chapter Association, co-chair on legislative policy issues and affairs for the Ward 8 Democrats, and the Ward 8 parent member on the Thrive by Five Coordinating Council. LaJoy also is a parent member of the Ward 8 Education Council and serves as a board of director member at Parents Amplifying Voices in Education, Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN), and Leaders of Color DC Alumni Board.
LaJoy is constantly inspired by her daughter, who was born extremely premature at 23 weeks and 1 pound 6 ounces. LaJoy believes that just like her daughter is a miracle, all of our children are miracles and deserve high-quality education so they can thrive. Motivated by her advocacy for her daughter and other children like her, LaJoy has also briefly served as a classroom paraprofessional at St. Coletta Special Education Public Charter School and previously interned at the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs (MORCA). Currently, LaJoy is the Project Coordinator at Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE) to continue her advocacy and training efforts for families who have children with disabilities. LaJoy holds an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix, a Master’s of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, and is currently enrolled at Walden University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration.