As the bell rings and students walk into class, Mr. Ervin is already at the door, greeting each student with a simple hello and a smile.
Mr. Ervin is a teacher at Buena Park High School, and started teaching in 2021. Before he became a teacher, he was not planning to go into education. He worked other jobs and also coached soccer. Later he became a subtitle teacher and found that he really enjoyed and liked being in the classroom with students.
“I didn’t even want to be a teacher at first,” Mr. Ervin said. “But once I started subbing, I really enjoyed being with the kids.”
In his class, students work quietly on their assignments while he walks around and helps them. He explains things step by step and makes sure students understand before moving on. His class is calm, and students feel okay asking questions when they are confused.
A student sits at a desk, focused on her work, writing in her notebook. Another student types notes on their paper while having their chromebook out and follows along with the lesson. Everyone is working at their own speed, and the room stays quiet and focused.
Outside of lessons between classes, Mr. Ervin stands at the doors and says “Hi” to students. He enjoys seeing current and catching up with former students.
“I think my favorite part of the day is those five minutes between classes,” he shares, “I get to see my former students and say hi. It feels like family.”
Mr. Ervin is important to his students because he is kind, honest, and helpful. He takes time to listen and support them when they need it. For his students, his class is more than just learning. It is a place where they feel safe, supported, and like they belong.
