When Elizabeth Johnson was growing up, there were a few careers that took her interest. She loved animals, thought about being a lawyer, and wanted to go into nursing, but wasn’t a big fan of blood. After taking her prerequisites in college, she discovered how much she loved studying English and literature. 

“The best thing about teaching is the kids,” Johnson said. “Being around teenagers keeps me young and laughing most days.” 

In the classroom, she makes sure her students are comfortable. Johnson currently teaches Advanced English 1, and English 1. The transition from junior high to high school takes getting used to. 

“I love learning from the kids and getting to know them,” she said. “They are definitely teaching me as much as I’m teaching them.” 

For the pros of teaching, some cons come with it. Because of the rise of technology, concentration is hard during classes.

“Phones and social media have made teaching more challenging,” Johnson said. “Kids want to be more entertained, and it’s hard to keep them engaged.”

When she’s not in the classroom, she is most likely on the beach. Taking a three or four-mile walk on the beach is what relaxes Johnson’s mind.

“I love to look for interesting shells and mainly sea beans,” she said. “I also like taking my Jeep to the beach and never have to worry about getting stuck.” 

This is her 20th year in the teaching field. She started in Portland for 14 years and is now in her 7th year at Flour Bluff.

“My favorite part about teaching at Flour Bluff is that everyone really supports each other,” Johnson said. “We offer so many different types of opportunities that students can really flourish at something they love, whether it be sports, academics, construction, welding, or flying a plane.”