If you’re a student at Niles West, you’ve likely been lucky enough to have the mythical Denise Norberg-Johnson as a substitute. If you still don’t recognize her, the nickname ‘Rainbow Dash’ might ring a bell. Famously straightforward, she brings an exciting energy to the classroom, which stems from her fascinating life outside of being a substitute. Having been involved in a variety of organizations, her vast experience informs her unique teaching method. Who is Norberg-Johnson and how did she end up here?
From owning a construction company to being an animal communicator, Norberg-Johnson came to our district in 2016, looking to shed monotonous professional communities and work in a diverse educational environment.
“[I was hired] In 2022 for a couple of months at the end of the year teaching Spanish, and I loved Niles West. Because here, the kids are young adults, they are professional. There are so many places in the world where the students here come from, many languages spoken, and so many wonderful names. It is the only place I’ve ever seen whether it was a business or a school where this is an international community. [Niles West] has a wonderful energy and I’m happy to be here,” Norberg-Johnson said.
Being raised with an ‘anything is possible attitude,’ she navigated life by grabbing opportunities where they arose. As the eldest sibling, her parents exposed her to a work ethic that shaped her early life around integrity and a pursuit of knowledge. Having multiple degrees ranging from architectural design to a Master’s in teaching, Norberg-Johnson loves an academic environment.
“My dad did not finish college but he knew stuff and he taught himself. Having those people in my life benefited me by saying, ‘Look you’re good at school and you can do anything you want to if you care enough to do the work.’ I keep going back to school and I keep getting certifications. That keeps me getting into different environments and meeting different groups of people,” Norgberg-Johnson said.
Being a part of the baby-boomer generation who protested against the Vietnam War, Norberg-Johnson is an activist at heart and she resonates with a lot of the struggles of our generation, trying to find our way in the world. She hopes to guide students the same way her teachers have.
“You have to have a moral compass, the world is right there in your face right now. I’m four times the age of the people I’m teaching and I’m still staying open-minded, I’m always hoping to have my mind changed about stuff. If I can help students question, that’s what [my teachers] did for me in high school, question everything, know why you believe something, that experience helped me,” Norberg-Johnson said.
She certainly has made her mark on Niles West, with students and fellow substitute teachers alike remarking on her compelling energy and expertise.
“[She’s] very fun. She brings an energy to the classroom that is unmatched by any other substitute I’ve had,” says senior Laira Biewer.
Colleague Ted Smukler, another substitute at West, echoes the same sentiment.
“[She’s] dedicated, a good teacher, and has a lot of experience,” Smukler said.
With a strong philosophic stance on teaching, Norberg-Johnson hopes to make a positive mark on the world through her professional responsibilities.
“More than anything now I want to [have] given back. I’m responsible for honoring other people’s intelligence, honoring what I can do for them, and contributing something. I think we all feel an imbalance if we’re not giving something out and I feel that more strongly than probably anything else in my life, [asking] ‘What am I doing to help make the world better?'” Norberg-Johnson said.
Bestowed the nickname, ‘Rainbow Dash’ (a character in My Little Pony) by students because of the matching colorful streak of dye in her hair, Norberg-Johnson honors the nickname with her equally colorful life and arsenal of personal anecdotes. Next time you have her in class, ask her to tell you a story. She’ll be sure to share a good one.
