Cardozo
Middle School
Assistant Principals
Ryan Johnson
Mr. Ryan Johnson brings a dynamic blend of educational leadership, student advocacy, and public health expertise to his new role as Assistant Principal at Cardozo Middle School. With over a decade of experience in education and community-based initiatives, he is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and achievement-oriented environment where every student at Cardozo thrives. While this is his first administrative role as an Assistant Principal, he is no stranger to leadership in the public school system.
Mr. Johnson began his career in the Houston Independent School District at Sterling Aviation Early College High School as an English Language Arts and Reading Teacher. After his first year as an educator, he was appointed to a campus leadership position as the AVID Site Coordinator, AVID Elective Teacher, and dual credit instructor. He contributed to the school's transformation from a Texas Education Agency-designated “Improvement Required” campus to a “Met Standards” campus. After 5 years of dedicated leadership, Mr. Johnson decided to move to Jackson, Mississippi, to pursue his lifelong dream of earning a Doctorate in Public Health at THEE Jackson State University. While pursuing his doctoral degree, he served as Dean at the Oakley Youth Development Center in Raymond, Mississippi, and as English Department Chair and Teacher at Callaway High School in the Jackson Public Schools District. As of April 2025, he has successfully defended his dissertation and is expected to graduate in July of the same year.
Mr. Johnson is a proud two-time graduate of Prairie View A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Health with minors in English and Teacher Preparation, as well as a Master of Education in Educational Administration. He holds a Master of Science in Health Education (Thesis Option) from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®). Throughout his career, Mr. Johnson has led programs focused on behavioral health, student discipline, chronic disease prevention, and equity-driven academic support. He has also taught health sciences at the college level, guided professional development for educators, and collaborated with families to enhance student outcomes.
Known for his trauma-informed, restorative approach to discipline and school culture, Mr. Johnson believes in fostering proactive communication, maintaining consistent expectations, and building strong relationships with students, staff, and the broader community. He looks forward to partnering with Cardozo scholars, families, and educators to support academic excellence and social-emotional growth.
Cindy Thomas
Dr. Cindy Thomas is an Assistant Principal at Cardozo Middle School. Her experience in Administration began in 2018 at Hardy Middle School. She has over 25 years experience as an educator, having worked in the Jackson Public School District in many capacities, including as math teacher, instructional coach, and math interventionist. Her diverse background includes providing interventions and support to struggling math scholars and providing teachers with differentiated strategies with entry points for scholars who feel excluded. Even with these amazing experiences, she remains a teacher at heart.
Dr. Thomas is a three-time alumna of Jackson State University, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She also holds a Master of Arts in teaching from Belhaven University. Dr. Thomas is the proud mother of two daughters, Kimber and Kelsey. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, shopping, genealogy research, watching documentaries, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Dr. Thomas is committed to cultivating an atmosphere of excellence at Cardozo and she looks forward to a rewarding and successful school year!