Elmhurst Resident To Get Hinsdale Central Hall Of Fame Honor

He taught PE and driver's education for 34 years. He is now an adjunct professor.

By David Giuliani, Patch Staff

Jul 30, 2026 2:00 PM CDT | Updated Jul 30, 2026 2:01 PM CDT

Elmhurst resident Brent Johnston, a retired teacher and coach at Hinsdale Central High School, is set to be honored by the school's foundation. (Courtesy of Hinsdale Central Foundation)

HINSDALE, IL – Elmhurst resident Brent Johnston is one of four people set to be inducted into the Hinsdale Central High School Hall of Fame this year.

The honor will be presented at a dinner and awards ceremony on Sept. 17 at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook.

The Hinsdale Central Foundation annually recognizes students, faculty or alumni who have made extraordinary contributions in their field and to the Hinsdale Central community. Johnston's selection highlights a long career at the school and decades of work in driver education across Illinois.

According to a foundation news release, Johnston began teaching and coaching at Hinsdale Central in the fall of 1975. He taught physical education and driver education for the next 34 years. During that time, he also coached football, gymnastics and basketball, with a focus on student development in and out of the classroom.

In the early 1980s, Johnston took over leadership of Hinsdale Central's driver education department. He also became active in the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association, where he served as president and co-chair of the Legislative Task Force.

Johnston helped shape policies aimed at improving roadway safety in Illinois. The announcement says he supported and advanced several legislative efforts during his career, including primary seat belt laws, Graduated Driver Licensing, zero tolerance laws for drivers under age 21, and .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration legislation for drivers age 21 and older.

One of Johnston's most significant roles at Hinsdale Central was leading the school's Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter from 1984 to 2009.

During that period, he worked with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Drug Abuse Resistance Education and the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists to educate young people and help reduce alcohol- and drug-related crashes involving Illinois teens.

Johnston remains active in the field today. He serves as an adjunct professor with the Illinois Driver Education Teacher Endorsement Program at the University of St. Francis.