Barry Cannon serves as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School. Mr. Cannon earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology/Physical Education from Olivet College and holds a Master's of Arts in Teaching, as well as Ed Specialists in Administration, from Wayne State University. Prior to his tenure with DPS/DPSCD, Mr. Cannon served as a certified Social Worker at Boysville of Michigan and Todd Phillips Children's Home. Additionally, he has a background as a basketball coach and athletic director.

You can contact Mr. Cannon at barry.cannon@detroitk12.org.

Ms. Laidler was born in Detroit, MI. An educator for over 25 years, Ms. Laidler has served as a Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director and currently serves as Assistant Principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School.

Ms. Laidler started her career in education with Detroit Public Schools. During her tenure there, she taught at five different high schools around the district. At Northwestern High School, she served as the Athletic Director and a member of the Equity Board for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

Ms. Laidler first position as a teacher was at Cody High School where she taught Health and Physical Education. She also coached swimming, golf, and girls’ basketball. Ms. Laidler girls swim team won two City Championships during her time at Cody, and she was honored to be the Operation Friendship Coach of the year. During her time at Northwestern High School, her boys' swim team also won a City Championship.

Ms. Laidler received her bachelor's degree in health/physical education and exercise science from Michigan State University and a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Ms. Laidler is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and Phi Delta Kappa International. She loves to travel and has visited many countries around the world including South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China, France, Australia, and Holland. Ms. Laidler believes that traveling and seeing other cultures around the world helps to develop a broader mindset of life and community service. She lives by the quote “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Elyon Johnson is a proud Detroit native, graduate of Detroit Public Schools, and passionate leader committed to educational equity, student-centered learning, and authentic empowerment. With over 15 years of experience, teaching and leading in North Carolina, Arizona, Illinois, and Michigan, she most recently served as the 9–12 Literacy Curriculum Leader for Detroit Public Schools Community District. In this role, she authored and designed the district’s 9th Grade English Language Arts curriculum and helped bring the Detroit Perspectives Project to life, an initiative rooted in culturally responsive literacy and student voice. As Assistant Principal at King High School, AP Johnson is honored to serve her community by developing excellent educators, supporting student achievement, and building a school culture grounded in excellence, purpose, and community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Literature from Winston-Salem State University and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy from Wayne State University. 

You can contact Ms. Johnson at elyon.johnson@detroitk12.org.