Hello, my name is Eric Tanner. I currently attend Old Dominion University, where I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Special Education- General. After graduating high school, I was not sure what I wanted to do as a career. Somehow, I ended up in the real estate business working as an assistant to a realtor. This job taught me a lot about business and marketing, but I was not very happy with some of the stress that came with the job. I decided that I could take my knowledge and educate others and, hence, began a path to becoming an educator.

I began taking classes at Laurel Ridge Community College, where in the spring of 2023, I graduated with my Associate’s Degree.  I then transferred to Old Dominion University where I began taking classes as a Marketing Education major. In October 2023, I began substitute teaching at Strasburg High School in Shenandoah County, Va. I really enjoyed being in a classroom and creating relationships with students. In January 2023, I took a position as a long-term substitue as a special education teacher at Strasburg High School. I quickly realized that I enjoyed being a special education teacher and decided to change my major from Marketing Education to Special Education.

When I am not working or attending classes, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our two dogs. My wife is a teacher and a softball coach at our local high school. This means a majority of our time is spent at the ball field. We love to support athletics and in the summer we host two college players, while they play for the local summer team, The Strasburg Express. I am excited about all the future opportunities I will have to positively impact a child’s life as an educator.