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It has been an opportunity for me to work with Eric since he first started teaching at Springville Middle School in 1995. I remember when he and his wife had their first child, Taylor and then Brandon who are both on Mission’s now. Then along came Mylie and Kade. Eric loves his family and is so proud of each and every one of them.
Eric started his career as a history teacher. George, our principal would pat himself on the back and say, “Eric was a good hire, don’t you think so?” And I would agree. Eric was a teacher that always took care of his students. He was committed to his students and would talk to them. Whether it was a talk about getting the work completed or to praise a student he always did his job. More than once I would pass his room and he would be talking quietly to one of his students. His students were successful and loved history because of their dedicated teacher. He was a teacher that made a difference in his student’s lives every day of his teaching career.
Eric became a counselor in 200. He hit the road running and hasn’t stopped since. Sometimes people will say, “What do counselors do ALL Day” or “I sure wish I had a job like yours where I could sit back and relax all day”. Well I have news for you, Eric is busy from the time he gets to work until he goes home. He takes care of all the 7th graders, he writes reports, and there are a lot of them. He isn’t a time waster, in fact while I am thinking about how and when to do a report he has already completed it. He wears me out so I don’t even try to keep up with him anymore.
Eric has taken over all of the school testing. Watching Eric, many of you think this is an easy job. It isn’t easy, it only appears easy because Eric has worked out all of the bugs for you. He is a hard worker and a doer. He is a get the job done NOW then play later kind of guy. He makes my job easier.
Many days Eric will come to work singing some random song. Probably the last song he heard on the radio before he waked into school. If we could get him on a program such as “name that tune” or “sing that song” he would win hands down.
He knows the lyrics and tunes to any song he has heard and it truly amazes me.
Eric was a great teacher and is a great counselor. I have always told him that he makes my job easier. He works out most of the problems with the 7th graders so when they get to the 8th grade it is smooth sailing. He tells me all it takes is a magic wand and a little bit of pixie dust and the problem is solved.
The definition of an “un-sung hero” is: 1. Not honored. 2. Not praised. 3. Not celebrated. It is my duty today to change this because I do want to honor, praise and celebrate this great man. He has literally saved my life many times and has always been there for me as well as all of you. He is, as well as Dave and many others, respectfully called “My Boy.”