Carla Johnston

District Homeless & Foster Care Liaison, Rowan-Salisbury Schools
Native of Rowan County

Industry: Education/Social Services

For Carla Johnston, serving others isn’t just part of her job — it’s her life’s calling. As the District Homeless & Foster Care Liaison for Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Carla works every day to ensure that students and families facing hardship receive the support and stability they need to thrive.

A Rowan County native, Carla has spent her career building bridges between schools, families, and community organizations. Before joining Rowan-Salisbury Schools, she dedicated ten years to Rowan County Department of Social Services, where she served as Social Work Supervisor for Permanency Planning for the last four. “I enjoy the culture of partnership within my service area,” she says. “Being able to build and extend partnerships beyond the walls of Rowan-Salisbury Schools allows me to cultivate relationships that are key to creating systemic change and holistic support for students and families.”

Describing herself as compassionate, dedicated, insightful, and resilient, Carla brings a deep sense of empathy and purpose to her work. It’s no surprise that she’s equally committed to service outside of the office. She’s an active member of Promise City Church, where she serves on the outreach team, and frequently participates in local service projects. “My role allows me to advocate for the needs of children and families experiencing homelessness and champion for those involved in the foster care system,” she says.

For Carla, Rowan County has always been home. “It’s a place that feels personal,” she says. “People know one another, support local schools and churches, and come together around shared causes. It has a genuine ‘neighbor helping neighbor’ culture.” She and her husband — a Charlotte native — returned to Rowan County in 2011 to raise their family, drawn to the area’s balance of historic character and modern progress.

When she’s not serving others, Carla enjoys taking in the beauty of Dan Nicholas Park, dining at Mykonos, and attending community favorites like Wine About Salisbury and the Historic Salisbury Foundation’s October Tour of Homes.

To Carla, Rowan County’s “Be an Original” spirit means staying true to your heart while helping others. “For me, ‘be an original’ means leading with authenticity, compassion, and creativity — fully embracing what makes Rowan County and its people unique while inspiring others to serve with purpose and pride.”

And if there’s one thing she hopes people know about her hometown? “Rowan County is more than a place — it’s a community of people with heart. We show up for each other, we care deeply, and we believe in the power of coming together to make life better for our children, our families, and our future.”