Hi! My name is Erin Merrill. I was born in Southern California and lived there until I was 12.  I moved to Northern California in the middle of my 6th grade. I started working in the school system as a para-educator supporting students with special needs for 8 years, while going to college and trying to figure out what I really wanted to do.  I knew I wanted to work with children, but I didn't know in what capacity. So, I chose to get my degree in Child Development.  I received my Bachelors degree in Child Development from Sacramento State University and my teaching credential from San Francisco State University.  I started my teaching career in 2006. This is my 18th year of teaching and I am still loving every minute of it.  Over the past eightteen years, I have taught Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and Academic Intervention. I see myself as a teacher of all children and not a specific grade. I am always up for a new challenge and feel I am always learning something new.   

I have an 8-year-old son named Jake, who is a third grader here at Wilderness Oaks Elementary this year.  He and I spend most of our time in the pool, building Legos, and traveling. We are big travelers. I am also a big Disneyland lover.  We try to go once a year, along with visiting my family who live close to there. We also go back to visit Sacramento every summer too.  We still have a lot of friends there. My brothers and their families are the reason we decided to move to Texas.  Family is extremely important to me.  My older brother's family is here in San Antonio and my younger brother and his family are about 4 hours north in Weatherford.  We moved here in July 2018 and are still exploring all the great places Texas has to offer. I love food, especially places that are related to the city. So when I am not working during the school year, I am out trying out new places with my family.

This will be my first year as a teacher and fourth year as a parent here at WIlderness.  I am looking forward to working with and supporting my students and families this year.  We are a team.  I cannot do what I love to do to it's full potential without the support of families, staff, and the community.