This year, Hastings High has welcomed a multitude of new teachers in almost every department. In the English department, Dr. Brett Erickson is the newest addition. He has taken up teaching English 11, English 11S, English 12, and Yearbook.
Having Hastings High as his new workplace has offered many opportunities for Erikson, including being more connected to his family and exploring the yearbook traditions here.
“I chose Hastings High because my family is deeply committed to Hastings Public Schools—my wife works in HPS as well—and the Tiger Yearbook has an impressive history. I was honored to be considered for the position,” Erikson said.
These position offers could very well be due to Erikson’s dedication to continuously learning before coming to Hastings High. Not only has he spent over 15 years in school, but he also has a doctoral degree and was a professor at Hastings College.
“I have spent 17 years out of the last 28 pursuing some form of degree; that stems from my yet-undimmed passion for learning. In terms of my practical motivation, professors must hold what is called a “terminal degree” in order to be granted tenure at an institution,” Erickson said.
Erikson’s passion for learning and education started at the young age of 17 when he was influenced by a choir director.
“Many years ago, I watched a choir director bound up a flight of bleachers as he listened to an honor choir in practice. His energy, his love and his effervescent compassion showed me what teaching could be. I knew from that moment I would find myself in some form of education as my career,” Erikson said.
Now that his education career has led him to Hastings High, Erikson hopes to leave his students with simple but important life-long aspirations that will help them build their futures.
“I hope students leave my classes energized, passionate and introspective. A life is richer when we are lifelong learners, especially if we are contemplating profound questions. However, my greatest hope for them is that they can lead safe, productive lives filled with joy and learning. If that happens, I’m humbled to have the privilege of helping support that journey in some miniscule way,” Erikson said.
As he settles into his new classes, he believes his unique teaching style will aid in a successful and impactful first year, and hopefully some laughs too.
“I would describe my teaching style as a cross between Aristotle, Dante, Keating and caffeine: lots of philosophical inquiry, existential machinations, dead poets and high energy,” Erikson said.
