North Dover’s Teacher of the Year!

2007-2008

   Mrs. Erickson  
  

   For Mrs. Erickson, a reward of teaching physical education is watching a child’s face light up after mastering a skill—the first big catch, the first goal, etc. She strives to make physical activity and exercise so enjoyable that children will continue such activities away from school and throughout their lives.

   Favorite memories include teaching children of students that she taught years ago and welcoming former students who return to teach as adults at North Dover.

   Mrs. Erickson wanted to be a teacher since first grade, when she played school and organized neighborhood plays. She remembers being taught first by her loving parents, who inspired her in the areas of reading, writing, sports, and gardening.   Mrs. Erickson attended High School South and participated in a variety of sports, band, and the National Honor Society. She was inducted into the Toms River Schools Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. Mrs. Erickson received her B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Rutgers University where her sports interest continued as she earned three Scholar-Athlete Awards and the Henry Marelli Award for the highest grade point average while lettering in two or more sports. She participated in the College Softball World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

   Mrs. Erickson has spent her entire 28 year career teaching health/physical education at North Dover. Additionally, she has coached field hockey at High School South for the past 25 years.

   Away from school, Mrs. Erickson enjoys watching all sports. She knitted camouflage scarves for our soldiers in Iraq. Mrs. Erickson is an accomplished quilter, as well. She enjoys gardening and crafting of all sorts.

   Her goal is not perfection. Instead, she tells her students, “Always do your best!” We congratulate Mrs. Erickson on a well deserved honor!