Erika Giorgis

I loved French class, poetry, and dance club (was there a dance club? I can’t remember). I also always loved reading, so Reading was always my favorite class.

After Nysmith, I went to Herndon High School and was involved with Student Government, dance team, and show choir. I was also in Keyettes, a girls service club. Then I went to Clemson University where I studied Elementary Education as a member of the Honors College. At Clemson, I was involved with Sigma Kappa Sorority, a Clemson Orientation Leader, an ambassador and tour guide for the Calhoun Honors College, and a few other clubs. Of course, I was and still am a huge Clemson fan and I enjoyed every single Home football game (and some away games) as a student! I also started doing CrossFit my senior year at Clemson and continue that to this day.

After graduating from Clemson in 2013, I went straight to the University of Virginia and got my Masters of Reading Education. While there, I worked in the Reading Clinic and tutored at a local elementary school. Then I moved to Richmond, where I currently live, and am halfway through my 4th year as a 3rd grade teacher at a public elementary school in Henrico County, a suburb of Richmond. I teach all content areas (Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies) but Reading and Math are my favorite to teach!

Nysmith was the sole foundation of my love of school. Clearly, I wanted to go to school forever, so I became a teacher 🙂 I learned how work ethic and effort can lead to success just as much as natural talent can. I learned that surrounding yourself with positive and creative peers, teachers, and role models is the best way to learn and grow.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. School is supposed to be ENJOYED! Ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask for help, lean on others when you need to, and have fun. There’s no other time in your life when you have that kind of creative, positive, cooperative, supportive, and nurturing environment and community.