Bio

Mr. Ken Erickson

Phone: Home 912-383-7238 Cell 912-592-3369 Please call before 8pm

Email: kerickson@atkinson.k12.ga.us

“Preparation ensures an answer when opportunity knocks." KWEE

 Ironically my background with Atkinson county really began in 1945.That was the year my mother (Myrtle Davis) was born here in Pearson. Raised in extreme poverty my mom saw her own mother die when she was 10 years old. Two years later her father died. She then left Pearson and lived with her aunt in Florida until she was old enough to leave. She left and then married my father.  Shortly after marriage my brother was born, myself two years later and then my sister.

Times were tough for my family. My folks were uneducated with limited job skills. The family became so troubled that my brother and I were sent to a children’s home for kids who had severe problems at home. I was 4 years old, my brother was 6, and my sister was a baby. The home did not accept infants. My brother and I stayed there for about 4 years.

We finally left the children’s home to live with our parents in a little town in Texas called Red Oak. For the first time in my life at that point I was happy. However, once I started school in Red oak I quickly realized that my family was very poor and looked down by those in the school system and the trailer park where we lived. The Trailer park which was known as little Chicago because of the illegal activities that took place there.

When school started, my brother and I were both given tests and placed in special education classes. I was in the 3rd grade and my brother was in the 5th grade. Neither one of us could read or write beyond a kindergarten level.

I felt so ashamed of who I was and where I came from and saw the same miserable future as what my parents had…Nothing. I was lost. I was on a path to nowhere. But then a teacher happened by my classroom one day and stopped and talked with me. The next thing I knew I was placed in her room. I felt rescued. My brother was not so lucky. He remained in special education classes until he quit when he was old enough.

It was in Ms. Smalling’s classroom where I learned to read and write. Finally, I felt like I was someone... Someone who could go somewhere, be someone. My teachers name was Ms. Smalling. She was very strict but kind. She never got mad at me unless I was not really trying. Sadly, she moved away the next year. I never got to go back and see her and thank her.  I never forgot her. To this day I think about her and still look for her.

The years passed and only got harder in school and in life for me and my brother. My mom was very supportive but could not help me or my brother in school or in life. When my brother quit school in the 9th grade shortly after being expelled for bringing a gun to school.  I felt as if he was going nowhere and that I would follow him. Thankfully that did not happen.

Through the support of a loving mother and the memories of an incredible 3rd grade teacher I was motivated to do what no one in my family had ever done. I was going to graduate high school no matter how hard I had to work I was going to do it.

As I became a teenager it became more and more difficult to continue in school. The crime ridden neighborhood I lived in always seemed to have obstacles that kept getting harder and harder to overcome.  8th grade did not prepare me for high school academically and socially. This created one of the greatest barriers I ever had to surpass. I barely made it through the 9th grade.

 Once I did that I set the bar higher toward graduating high school. Unfortunately, the pressure was so great against me that I seemed destined for failure. I was not going to quit! I begged my mom to let me leave home to go and work for an uncle in Florida and go to school there.  She agreed. I was 15 years old. Over the next 4 years I lived in 6 different homes with four different families. I was also retained a year in my senior year. Even my own family told me that I was going to eventually quit. I was determined that no matter what anyone said or did to me I was going to graduate.

Through constant positive reinforcement from my mother and a desire to rise above I proudly graduated from Coffee High school. After graduation I entered the Air Force. While in the Air Force. I travelled to many countries while serving before, and during, the Desert Storm Era.  I eventually met my future wife while stationed in England. All the while I continued to go to school and set the bar higher each time. Even today I continue to learn and grow always thinking about setting the bar higher.

So why did I come to work in Atkinson County?  I wanted to teach kids in Atco. that they could too could be high school graduates and beyond.   I think a lot some kids are already considering quitting school especially if they don’t find self-worth or paths that lead to a successful future.

I worked in Coffee County schools for 15 years until a job opened up at Atco. middle school. I applied for the job and was accepted as the 8th grade science teacher. I was also asked to coach boy’s soccer and accepted.  In 2024 I was asked to teach 6th grade science and social studies. 

Today my wife Nicola and I have 3 dogs and 6 cats that were all rescued from very sad circumstances. We have two children who are now young adults. Our son Nathan is now in his third year at  Lincoln Memorial University- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and completing his hospital rotations. . My daughter, who is already a licensed practical nurse, and is still working toward becoming a registered nurse

I am telling all these personal facts  because I know, and will expect, my students here in Atkinson County to rise above their situation. To raise the bar higher no matter their background, to overcome any and all obstacles, to achieve their dreams. I will be here to help you on your own journey.

Remember, “The only dreams that can never come true are the ones that are never pursued. “ KWEE

“Many things are impossible… until they are done” Nelson Mandela

Education

Certifications

CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE [FLD694]

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP - TIER II [FLD710]

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (P-5) [FLD808]

ESOL (P-12) [FLD885]

GIFTED IN-FIELD [FLD881]

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION (P-12) [FLD761

MIDDLE GRADES (4-8) - SCIENCE [FLD852

MIDDLE GRADES SOCIAL SCIENCE

READING ENDORSEMENT [FLD833

Endorsements

READING ENDORSEMENT [FLD833