Wlaf1450CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – School is officially back in session and Caryville Elementary’s Eric Wright is exited for the new school year. Wright is WLAF’s teacher of the week.
He teaches music at Caryville Elementary and is heading towards his 19th year as an educator. His mother was an elementary school teacher for more than 30 years, which played a big role in his own decision to become an educator. “I remember helping her set up her classroom every year. I would also help her prepare her room for the next school day,” Wright recalled.
His favorite part about his job is teaching the “kids how to make music and share in the joy that it brings.”
“We get to sing, dance, play instruments and perform. Sometimes the pressures of adulthood can cause a person to take for granted, or overlook the special little things in the world around us. Children remind me every day to appreciate the simple joys in life. I love seeing the world through their eyes,” Wright said.
According to Wright, even though the past school year had it’s challenges, having students in class was a “blessing.”
“Although the restrictions required social distancing, the students and I were still able to learn about composers, learn songs, dance, play instruments and perform concerts,” Wright said. Another positive of the past year was when a small group of his fifth and fourth grade students volunteered some of their free time to participate in an indoor drum line.
“I love teaching music, I love my students, I love my colleagues, and I thank God for calling me to be an educator,” Wright said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/12/2021-6AM)