OldeSchoolNews.com

Listen to the podcast of this story.      Education was always important to Erika Tinker.  Both of her parents were teachers. So was her grandmother. And brother, making for a family full of teachers.  That’s one of many reasons why Tinker is now our school’s counselor.    When she was in the 3rd grade, Tinker’s parents got a job teaching overseas in Liberia, West Africa.  Her family sold everything to go so her parents could teach there. She was the only American student in her class.     They planned to live there for eight years, but a civil war broke out and the American government asked them evacuate. They were given three days to pack everything and leave the country. Her dad and brother were in the forest so they had no way to communicate but they got the word of the war.     The biggest thing she learned there was that education is hard to get in Liberia. A 30 year old man went through her trash to read her homework. He did this so he could teach himself how to read. There you have to have money to go to school.    Tinker wanted to work at a school because here in America we take education for granted and she wanted people to know that education is important. Not everyone has a chance to get an education, as she learned in Liberia.              Here at OCHS, Tinker is making a difference everyday.      One of Tinker’s colleagues, Dottie Hargrave, said, “She is fantastic! She puts so much effort and time into what’s she is doing.”            Students at OCHS think Tinker is very helpful. Dallas T. said, “She has helped me find a job and has given me good advice.”                Other students agree.  “I don’t know her very well but she is doing a lot for the seniors,” said Tullia M.            Katelyn G. said “She tries to get everyone to reach their goals. College. (Tinker's) good with helping students with personal problems, good for our school.”            Why out of all the schools Tinker did choose Olde Columbine? Tinker says it’s because “I had a lot of friends that went to an alternative High school. My mom used to teach art at one. I think that kids have great benefits from going to an alternative school.”             When I asked Tinker what she liked most about her job Tinker said “I like what the students teach me. Also that Olde Columbine’s environment is very welcoming. There are not too many kids, so I can take time to know all of them.”            Most people don’t know that when Tinker first went to college she wanted to be a Special Ed teacher, but she cared more about how the students were feeling then teaching them. “I found myself just sitting down with the students and talking to them,” said Tinker. She decided to become a school counselor.            When I asked Tinker what she thought about being here at OCHS she said she “really enjoys being here, I am always learning something everyday. It is like a family here.”             Tinker is here for anybody that needs to talk. So if you have a problem go talk to her and maybe she can help you. She loves her job and we love that she works here.