Like most people his age, you would think that 80-year-old Walter Erickson would be posted up at home, loving on his grandkids and soaking up the retired life.
Though he did retire years ago, this dedicated teacher still spends his days substitute teaching in Minnesota’s largest school district. And while he is passionate about molding young minds, Walter has a different reason for working harder than most at his age.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen a sub so old. You would think he would be retired,” said Kelsy Breiter, a Champlin Park High School senior.
GoFundMe
Kelsy, along with a group of other curious students, learned that Mr. Erickson was working to save money for his wife.
She desperately needed some dental work done, as well as a totally separate surgery for her cataracts.
“He’s just impacted so many of our lives in amazing ways,” senior Katie Blodgett added. “He’s the kind of substitute teacher where he connects with us more on a personal level, and he obviously loves what he does, and that makes it more encouraging for us to learn.”
In learning more about one of their favorite members of the St. Paul School District community, the girls took Walter’s need into their own hands.
“When we found out the surgery may not be covered, we just wanted to help out,” Breiter said. They set up a GoFundMe campaign for Mr. Erickson and his wife, and the Champlin Park High School student body of past and present did NOT disappoint.
In just nine days, the girls were able to raise almost $14,000.
Overwhelmed by the students’ outpouring of generosity, Walter and his wife were brought to tears.
“When I told my wife about this last Friday, she said, ‘Who are these girls? What kind of parents do they have that they could be so caring and compassionate?’” Walter said.
It seems they’ve had good role models along the way, including the beloved Mr. Erickson.
