Erin Thompson is improving TJ, one student at a time.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
When not spending time with her own children, Freshman Counselor Erin Thompson, one of TJ’s newest counselors, can be found at TJ in her office assisting freshmen with their schedules and a whole lot more. With this being her ninth year as a counselor, Thompson still enjoys spending time with students and helping them – and herself – adjust to a new school.
Being an East High School graduate, Thompson can relate with many of the urban students’ issues, and is willing to help all students have a great stay here. “I have worked at PS1 Charter and Florence Crittenton Alternative and one year with the Youth Employment academy,” said Thompson. Florence Crittenton is a school where teen and future teen parents attend in order to develop skills for raising their children as well as providing an education for the parents. Thompson describes PS1 Charter as a diverse yet small school where students focus on life-long learning. “Many of the students are similar, but they haven’t decided to make the change (at alternative schools). Students at TJ are more self-motivated and don’t need as much support from adults in the building,” said Thompson.
Deciding to come to TJ was a hard choice for Thompson, made easier by TJ’s good reputation and small size. “TJ students don’t have as much baggage. Students at an alternative school need a lot of love; they do not trust schools because they have had such a terrible experience in the past,” said Thompson.
After just one year at TJ, Thompson is already involved with the Student Council, as the adviser alongside Administrator JoAnne Moreno and Treasurer Derek Steffes. She keeps busy helping organize and supervise major school events like dances and pep-rallies. “Mrs. Thompson does a great job at helping with school events. I’m very excited to go to some of the dances she has helped with because they seem really fun,” said Thomas Dodson, a freshman who Thompson has helped become adjusted to high school classes and events.
Sports have always been one of Thompson’s favorite pastimes. During her time at East High School she played Varsity Soccer as well as Swimming and Diving and Tennis. After college she also continued to be involved in sports, including pursuing a major in Sports Science. “I was an athlete and an athletic trainer in college. Sports Science fit my interests. I like science, and anatomy was always my favorite class,” said Thompson, who decided to pursue a teaching and counseling career because of the experiences she had with children. “I always enjoyed kids, whether it was at a summer camp, coaching soccer, or being in the classroom helping out. I was a fitness trainer for a year working in a health club, but I was bored being in the gym all day. It was really the coaching that made me want to be in a school full time. I was counseling my soccer players anyway, so it was a natural fit. I started off coaching soccer at Manual and knew that I wanted to work with high school kids full time,” said Thompson.
Thompson also assists with coaching for her daughter’s soccer team and Girl Scout troop. “I have a nine-year-old daughter whose team I coach. I am also responsible for leading one Girl Scout troop meeting per school year for my daughter’s troop. We did this in December where we made gingerbread houses, decorated stockings, and made surprise balls,” said Thompson. Being a very family oriented person, Thompson likes to dedicate as much time as possible to her children and husband.
Having graduated from Regis University and Colorado State University, Thompson sees much importance in education. “One piece of advice I have for beginning students is not to fail classes; not passing classes will make upcoming years much harder for them,” said Thompson. Having students keep college in mind through their journey in high school is her main goal, as a counselor at TJ. She hopes to continue to spend time with incoming students helping to guide them on throughout their high school careers.
