ADOLESCENT LEAD GUIDE:
Erik grew up in a military family and has lived throughout the world, experiencing many cultures. He has lived abroad for twelve years and worked in Texas, Louisiana, South Korea, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Afghanistan, and Germany.
Erik had the fortunate experience of having a front row seat at many historical events, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Asian financial crisis of 1997. These experiences illuminate different perspectives and viewpoints on every discipline he has approached. Erik has a passion for making humanities and science relevant to people’s present day experience, which is the same approach he will be using to guide our students.
Erik graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History and Biology. At the same time, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army where he served as an active duty Field Artillery officer for 8 years. Erik then served as a Department of Defense Civilian with the Army and the Air Force for 6 years performing various international relations, education, and training roles with extensive travel in Europe and Israel. Erik currently serves in the Alabama National Guard and is a graduate of the Cavalry Leaders Course, Air Command and Staff College, and Command and General Staff College.
Work and family brought Erik to Georgia in 2008, and he and his family have made Newnan their home for the past eight years. As an Eagle Scout and Military Officer, Erik has been involved in traditional training and education throughout his life. He fell in love with the Montessori Method after witnessing his own children thrive in Montessori communities. This ignited a desire to guide adolescent students in an environment that encourages critical thinking and individual exploration. He obtained his Association Montessori International (AMI) Adolescent Studies certification at the Hershey Montessori School in Huntsburg, Ohio in 2014 and has two years Montessori experience as an adolescent director and lead teacher.
Erik has a zeal for fusion cooking and experiencing world culture. His favorite activities are snow skiing and SCUBA diving. He also enjoys hiking, gardening with the family, and home improvement projects. He is excited to be working with Hillside Montessori.
