Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Hale.
Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started as a Teacher who wanted to give students and educational experience I lacked, and ended up being the 2021 Texas State Teacher of the Year and the 2020 National Urban School Teacher of the Year. I am striving to become the most impactful Educator in America while being the Chief of the “IF” tribe.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My first year teaching, I was told by the school Principal that teaching wasn’t for me and that I should leave the profession. I received the horrible news that my mother tragically died in my classroom on parent-teacher night. Lost my beloved Grandmother two years ago to cancer. So it’s been a beautiful struggle filled with bumpy roads. I have been blessed to see more beauty than struggle and that’s because of God’s grace and mercy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a self-contained first grade and second-grade teacher that lays the foundation for mastery of English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies while simultaneously raising the social and emotional self-esteem of my students and their parents. I deliver a wholistic approach to education focusing on impacting the lives of not just my school community but Dallas Independent School District, Texas State, and America as a whole. I am chasing the ghosts of the educators I needed as a child. I am trying to change the narrative that to be enormously impactful, you have to leave the classroom and go into administration.
I am known for having Bold, Brilliant, Beautiful students that lead their learning. I am known for my innovative teaching approach that focuses on the heart to the mind teaching practice. I am known for using music to control the mood in my classroom. I am known for closing financial gaps at my school by partnering with business leaders throughout DFW that have provided over 100K in support of my school. Advocating for all Texas students at the District, State, and National Level. I am known for my “Community of Care” members of the DFW business / corporate/public sector that have poured into the success of all 600 students at David G. Burnet Elementary with their time, passion, love, skills, and financial resources. Most importantly, I am known for my passion, love for children, faith in God, determination, helping less fortunate, family, and Bold personality.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The only way to help students continue loving and learning educationally in a pandemic was to first Listen, Learn, then Lead. My School District Dallas ISD did a great job of listening to the communities needs and learning ways to try to solve them. My district provided food, technology, and resources all pandemic long leading from the front with love. That is why DISD is the number one Urban School District in America.
Contact Info:
- Email: lmf6813@gmail.com
- Twitter: @Erichale1979
Image Credits
Marcel Rodriguez
