Although it was Elizabeth Johnson’s original intent to become a teacher, it took her a few years to find her way into a classroom. But her journey worked out how it was supposed to when she ended up at Dimensions Academy, Norman Public Schools’ alternative education program and a place where Johnson says she belongs.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself,” Johnson said about accepting her position as an English teacher in 2018.
Initially, Johnson worked as an attendance secretary at Irving Middle School before taking time off from education and spending time as a freelance writer. In that role, she edited several novels and ghost wrote nearly 30 novels and a series of children’s books. Then, she decided she wanted to return to Norman Public Schools and did so as the superintendent’s receptionist before becoming the guest teacher coordinator.
In that position, Johnson said it became very clear to her the need for good teachers, and she decided it was time to pursue her original career plan. Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Oklahoma, had started the process to become a teacher years before, and it turned out all she had left to do to complete it was get a background check.
Johnson grew up in Pernell, Oklahoma, and graduated from Elmore City-Pernell, which people may know as the inspiration for the movie, “Footloose.” For Johnson, she “couldn’t have grown up in a better place,” and she is proud of her roots. She added that Dimensions reminds her of her small town upbringing in some ways, particularly in how close-knit the community is.
“That is one of the things I really enjoy about Dimensions is getting to know these kids, and this place becomes a family,” Johnson shared. “It’s been a great learning experience for me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to begin my teaching career.”
Education has always played a key part in Johnson’s life. Both of her mom’s parents were teachers, and she also had some incredible teachers who made a lasting impact on her.
“I love learning,” Johnson shared. “I think that’s what drew me to teaching. I had a great family and home life too, but my teachers were really the ones who encouraged the parts of me that I valued most, which was my imagination, and they all really pushed me and I think saw something in me that I didn’t always see in myself. They definitely encouraged me, and I think that’s why I am where I am for sure.”
In her free time, Johnson likes to spend time with her boyfriend, Chad, and her dogs, Nora and Madge, who are sisters. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, going to the pool and attending concerts. Of course, Johnson also loves English and writing, interests she’s had from a young age.
As a kid, Johnson was always writing stories and imagining new worlds. Now at Dimensions, she aims to encourage students along the way as they find their voice and learn how to tell their own stories. Johnson added that she teaches with both enthusiasm but also with the desire to create a space that is comfortable for her students, one where they can feel free to be who they are.
“I just desire to make a safe space for them to be who they are, to tell their stories and to understand that they're deeply valued,” Johnson explained. “What I really hope to do in this place is to help these students learn the skills that they need to be better communicators and tell the story that they have to tell.
“There's something that I tell them, usually on their first day in my class,” Johnson continued. “They are like little gemstones, and that whatever brought them through the doors of Dimensions is just one single facet of who they are, that it is not the whole story.”
When Johnson was first applying for teaching jobs, she admits that she did not want to apply at Dimensions because she had this perception that it was where the “bad kids” were. But since being part of the academy, she has realized they’re not bad, they’re just kids. Now, she’s honored to be a finalist for District Teacher of the Year and wants to use her platform to let the community know how Dimensions serves students.
“I hope I can let people know what this place is and what they do for kids because it’s incredible, and it’s magic, the changes that you see and what these kids have accomplished because of this place,” Johnson reflected. “I’m just glad that I get to be a part of that.”