Educator Eager to Impart Life’s Wisdom
Erin Hendricks is a new addition to the Jasper County High School educational staff that arrived mid-year last school season. You have likely seen has face prior amongst The News pages as he dove into many extracurricular duties immediately. The track & field and football assistant also leads the Leadership Development Class and is a Program for Exceptional Children (P.E.C.) teacher.
“I’m in a great place, where I love what I do everyday,” he noted.”I am loving Monticello and what I’ve learned here.”
And to be clear he must like it considerably to drive here and back to Stone Mountain five days a week for the past five months. But don’t fret, he will soon be settling into closer digs.
Erin grew up in Winder, just a stones throw away from here, but moved to Statham, Ga. during his middle school years. He and his two siblings, an older sister and a younger brother, lost their parents (his mother and step-dad) to tragedy not long ago. At only 26, he feels that his life experiences thus far have equipped him well to be able to aid young people.
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Erin explained that he was not an outstanding student in high school. He knew that he could do the work, he just didn’t apply himself, according to the educator. He described his younger self as more of a class clown that loved sports beyond anything else.
After graduating high school, he enrolled at Georgia Southern University (GSU) in Statesboro where he was a walk-on for the football team with a sports management major. His first year at GSU was typical, he noted, nothing spectacular making “so-so” grades as he navigated his introduction to college life. Following his freshman year a revelation came that changed his mentality and altered his life’s trajectory.
Erin began drawing closer to Christ in college by regularly studying the word and attending church. Before long, he had voluntarily stopped playing football and began focusing on his grades. By the time of graduation he was named to the Dean’s List a half-dozen times and accumulated several other accolades such as the Eagles In Diversity Man of the Year Award.
After graduating from GSU, Erin completed an internship at the University of Georgia in Athens before heading to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to pursue a masters degree. It was during his time in graduate school that helped him progress into his modern day being and shaped his career plan. It was during that time that he lost his parents within a six month time span.
He had to dig deep following those events to manage his grief, maintain his grades, and support his siblings especially his little brother. Coming through that fog, Erin knew that his life’s purpose was to make a true impact in the lives of others—not being concerned with “making a lot of money or driving a Ferrari.”
“At the end of the day, I care about making a difference in the lives of others. I’m not a rah-rah guy. I just want to help make people happy.”
In November 2018, less than a year ago, Erin was ordained as a Baptist minister. His very first sermon was entitled ”From Thorn to Thankful” which was based on his journey through tragedy. Minister Erin has already been delivering his message locally as he gave a sermon the Sunday following graduation at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church.
Erin is thankful to be in Monticello, he has always been attracted to the small town feel of life. A self-proclaimed naturalist, he loves the great outdoors with everything from camping to fishing as he grew up near a lake. He is looking forward to imparting more of his wisdom upon the local youth and in particular growing the membership in his Leadership Development Class.
He shared a quote that his mentor shared with him many years ago which has shaped the way he tries to live his life, “if you pursue a standard of living you sacrifice quality of life but if you pursue quality of life you receive a standard of living as a by-product.”
Those are good words to live by for anybody.
