“I am honored and excited to be the Superintendent of the Elgin School and am looking forward to serving the kids and the community,” said Dan Erickson, new Superintendent-Principal of the Elgin School, which serves the communities of Elgin and Sonoita.
Erickson assumed his position on July 6 in time to prepare for the 2024-25 school year which opened on July 29. His predecessor, Mary Faley, of Elgin, retired after six years as the school’s Superintendent-Principal.
Currently the Elgin School boasts 120 students in K-8 Grades, a few more than last school year.
“I love that there are no combo classes,” said Erickson. “Each grade from kindergarten through grade five has its own teacher. In the middle school, grades six through eight have one teacher for each subject area such as English, math, science and social studies. Then there is one art teacher, one PE teacher, and one special education teacher.”
When asked if he could envision a music program at some point, Erickson said, “I would love a music program in the future.” But for now he plans to “continue doing what works well. We will honor the traditions that we have. After this first year here, as time goes on, we can look at making some changes. Right now I love the team I have, and it is an honor to be here.”
Erickson began his life’s work as a professional educator 28 years ago as a teacher in the Vail School District, which at the time was made up of two schools. (Today, it has 22.)
He then served as assistant principal in Wilson for two years, principal at Steele Elementary in the Tucson Unified District for seven years and principal at Magee Middle School for five years. He served for three years as Director of Advanced Learning for all 86 schools in the Tucson Unified School District.
Two years as Vice President of Academics at Leman Academy of Excellence charter school preceded the last three years when he served as Superintendent and Principal of Bowie Unified School District, elementary and high school.
“Bowie was similar to here,” Erickson said, “except that here there is no high school, and the elementary school was much smaller with 64 students compared to Elgin’s 120.”
Erickson was born and grew up in western New York with his parents and brother. He received his degree in Elementary Education from Fredonia College in 1996. His mother had moved to Arizona by then and when he was job hunting, she suggested, “Why not Arizona? Why don’t you apply for a position here?” He did, and has lived happily in southern Arizona ever since.
He and his wife, also a teacher, live in Tucson off the Catalina Highway at Tanque Verde, making it a full one-hour commute to Elgin. “I love the drive down 83,” he commented.
Both his son and his daughter attend the University of Arizona. “My joke is: my son, my daughter, and my paycheck all go to the U of A,” he said.
“My work schedule dictates my free time,” he continued. “My wife and I go to church every week. I am a baseball fanatic and follow the games. This Saturday the whole extended family, all 14 of us, are going to Phoenix to watch the Diamondbacks.
“And I go to the gym and work out three to four times during the week and on weekends. It is a great stress reliever.”
At the Elgin school, Erickson has implemented an Open Door Policy with parents. “If my door is open, it is open to you,” he said. “You can come in and chat or schedule an appointment if you wish.”
Erickson has had good conversations with the President of the PTC. Each day at parent and bus pickup times he goes outside to be with the kids and parents. And he enjoys visiting the classrooms. Erickson attended the Rodeo and the Fair to watch some of our kids interact andcompete.
“Again,” he said,”I am honored and excited to be here.”