Educator shows persistence

When Becky Erickson started at Clatsop Community College 18 years ago, her youngest son Alan was almost three. At that time, the mother of four boys was going to school for her own personal growth.

“I’ve always loved teaching children and so I decided to pursue getting my Early Childhood Education certificate. In 2008, due to my years of experience, I was hired to teach at the Naselle-Grays River Valley School for the ECEAP (Early Childhood Educational and Assistanct Program) preschool, a state funded program for eligible families. At the same time, I signed a contract agreeing to pursue my AA degree, and off I went, full steam ahead, to fulfill the contract, going every quarter and summers except for the quarter Alan graduated,” Erickson recalled.

Finally done, Erickson graduated this June with honors from CCC with her Associate of General Studies and an Early Childhood Education certificate.

“I know, it seems like I’ve forever been in college. But with my work schedule I had to whittle away each quarter and now, I’m done,” she disclosed excitedly.

“Wayne (Erickson’s husband) has become the world’s best ‘vacuum cleaner guy,’ and I offer so much thanks for all the support from him --he rarely saw me at times--and to my co-workers, friends, and family, all of you have helped in your own way—especially Evan and Alan (two of Erickson’s four sons) with math!” she said.

The 52nd annual Clatsop Community College commencement ceremony was held June 15 at the Liberty Theater in Astoria. It is possible that no one was more excited than Erickson to be part of that occasion.

“It was absolutely fun to be able to inhale and take in all of the events surrounding the CCC ceremony,” Erickson said. “Picking up my cap and robe, sending out a few invitations, being at the required rehearsal and then the graduation at the ‘you can’t go wrong by being there’ Liberty Theatre in Astoria, followed by the reception to be enjoyed with two of my past preschool students who also graduated (Alana Darcher and Rob Baker). We had a small reception after church on Sunday. It was all so much fun for me. I loved every second of it, and especially appreciated my sons Alan and Nathan to be able to share some of it with me.”

With her degree complete, Erickson will continue to teach preschool at both Valley Bible Preschool and at the ECEAP preschool program in Naselle.

“Teaching the children is one of my biggest joys, I love teaching and receiving the constant rewards of being ‘Teacher’ that prevail throughout the community,” she said. “If an opportunity does come up where I can improve through my skills through a class or training, I will take it. The process of learning should never end!”

Over the years, one of the things that Erickson, known to the community as "Teacher Becky," enjoyed most was when she could find a few minutes to sit with her feet up with a book or a magazine.

“A very simple pleasure” Erickson said, “but during all of the big push it was a tiny snippet of normalcy!”

One hopes Teacher Becky will have more than a few moments of normalcy over the summer before preschool begins again in the fall.