After graduating eight years ago from FC, Eric Witters has returned to the school as he takes on a new role as junior high English and history teacher.

Witters attended FC for thirteen years, K-12. Originally, his mother, Amy Witters, only planned to have him go to the school for three years but due to him wanting to stay and his commitment to his education, he remained at the school and graduated with the class of ’04.

After graduating, he spent his days outside of FC to their fullest advantage. He decided to stay local and attended California State University, Fresno. There, he worked on his bachelor’s degree and after four years graduated with excellence and understanding.

In his years after college, he turned to the journalism world and put his many years in Greg Stobbe’s journalism class and his works on The Feather to practice.

He worked for three years on two newspaper staffs: The Kingsburg Recorder and The Selma Enterprise. He then realized how important his education at FC was and how it helped him adjust easily to being on his own in the real world.

“I went to school K-12 here,” Witters said. “I played basketball, tennis and did journalism. I found out when I went to Fresno State that I was more prepared for college than other kids were.”

With 53 years of teaching experience, junior high science teacher Terry Richards sees a lot of potential in Witters. Richards was also one of his teachers when Witters first came to FC and appreciates all that he does for the school.

“I recommened him because I had him in eighth grade when I started [teaching],” Richards said. “It’s nice to see a young man who is commited to the Lord and excited to teach the students.”

Richards is also thankful that Witters is willing to fill his role and take over the Los Angeles (LA) field trip.

“He has agreed to go on the LA trip and take it over, which is a big deal to me because without him we would have had to quit it,” Richards said.

Principal Todd Bennett is very happy to have Witters on staff here at FC. He is very pleased to see an alumni that is so connected to the school.

“He, being an alumni, has a deep interest in not just sustaining the school but also continuing to make it an outstanding place for the students,” Bennett said. “I think he is a very intelligent and energetic teacher that has a good report with the kids.”

Students are also very happy to have Witters as a teacher. Eighth grader Emily Fontes, ’17, says Witters has a lot to offer as a teacher and has a very effective way of presenting the criteria.

“He is funny and free-spirited,” Fontes said. “He can get work done a lot faster and his teaching method is more effective.”

Witter’s mother is very proud to see how far her son has come. Beginning as a kindergarden student, even before she began teaching, all the way to coming back and teaching here.

“When we first started at Fresno Christian we only planned on going kindergarden through seond grade, giving him a solid foundation, then we would move Him to public school,” Witters said. “But he fell in love with the school. When he graduated from Fresno Christian I was so happy he stayed. Then when he went to get his credential and come back as a teachers was pretty amazing! I had never even thought of it.”

Witters has great plans while he is called to work here. He hopes to develop his relatioships with students and help them in every aspect, not just school.

“I expect to positively influence the students lives,” Witters said. “I want to make a strong connection with the kids; I want them to think of me as their mentor, as someone they can talk to.”

If you have any questions, contact Eric Witters.

For more features, read the Aug. 27 article, First grade teacher doubles as varsity cheer coach.