By Lauren Estes-Velez

Hartselle Enquirer

Patience and selflessness are some things Erica Eaton is known for as both a teacher and within her family.

The third-year middle school teacher, wife, business owner and mother of two has had her own personal battles, but according to friends, her positive attitude has always been the difference-maker.

A big portion of her time is working with and sponsoring the Junior Civitan Club at Priceville Junior High.

“Emily Williams and I are the head sponsors of the Junior Civitan Club at PJHS,” Eaton said. “We currently have the largest group of students in the nation (107 students).”

The Junior Civitan mission, Eaton said, “is to provide networking, fellowship, community involvement, personal development and community service, emphasizing help to people with developmental disabilities. This club is very near and dear to my heart because my oldest son has Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and has recently been diagnosed with autism. I think it is critical that we teach this generation the importance of serving others. I have witnessed some of the sweetest acts of kindness from this group, and I am proud to be part of such a wonderful club and community.”

In her three years of teaching, Eaton said she has made many memories that have impacted her both as a teacher and a mother.

“Recently I had a parent send me a picture of their child doing Punnett Squares with sidewalk chalk and told me how much that child enjoys my class,” Eaton said. “It definitely melts my heart. One of my all-time favorite quotes by Maya Angelou, which might sound a little bit cliché but has so much truth in my profession, is: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

“I strive every day to make science fun. It’s not about the ‘what’ but about the ‘how’ and the ‘why.’ Teaching is an art, and if I can spark each and every one of my students’ imaginations, then it makes that ‘aha-ha’ moment that much worthwhile.

“I want everyone interested in learning the material,” Eaton added. “I do my best to make my students feel that I am invested in their education and them as a person.”

Outside of teaching, Eaton said she enjoys spending time with her family and doing all things fitness-related.

“I love spending time with my husband, Will Eaton, and our two boys, Ayden, who is 8 years old, and Avry, who is 4 years old,” Eaton said. “They bring me so much joy.”

Some of her favorite hobbies include weight training and fitness, shopping and singing.

In October 2016, the Eatons made a dream a reality when they opened their very own nutrition store, Eaton Wise Nutrition, located in Hartselle. “Health and fitness are a huge part of our lives, and we have made so many friendships along the way,” she said. “I am far blessed more than I deserve.”

Eaton is currently in her third year of teaching in Morgan County Schools.

“I taught my first two years at Falkville High School, where I taught middle school science for sixth-eighth grades,” Eaton said. “This year I was lucky enough to be teaching seventh grade life science at Priceville Junior High School. I had the privilege of doing my student teaching at Priceville High in 2013, and I knew then that I wanted to be part of the Priceville community. We really do have the best community, hands down.”

When asked how long she’s known she was called to be a teacher, Eaton said she’s been playing teacher and house since she was a little girl.

“I think I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I ‘played school’ religiously. I had many great teachers who made such a huge impact on my life. I can only hope that I do the same for my students. I always say, my students are my kids for life.”

Eaton has set several goals for herself for both inside and outside the classroom – to better herself as an instructor, role model and mother.

“My goals for this 2017-2018 school year are to stop sweating the small stuff and focus on ways to improve as a wife, mother and teacher,” Eaton said. “As a teacher, we never stop learning, and honestly I learn more from my students than they could ever learn from me. I also hope to learn more exciting labs to share with my students, to keep them interested in science.”

Erica Eaton is a Hartselle resident and Priceville middle school life science teacher.