Deb Erikson is ready for some quiet.

Erikson, a biology instructor at Allen Community College, is officially in her last year of teaching. As the end of the year approaches, Erikson is completing 15 years of teaching on-campus  and online classes.

Erikson graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in biology and has taught a variety of biology centered classes at Allen.

“I used to be on ground, on site, and I taught Principles of Biology, Biology I, and Biology II,” said Erikson. “Now I am only online and teach Biology II.”

She continued, “In the classroom I love Biology II; we dissected the whole semester by looking at all the body systems.”

Erikson stated that she loves teaching online because of a certain assignment where the students create a lab to change heart rate.

THROUGH HER years teaching, some memories stuck out to Erikson as her favorites.

“My favorite thing about Allen is that it is kind of like a family. I like how it’s small and that I see the same students in the hall and then go get to see them play their sports,” Erikson said.

She understands that biology is not everyone’s favorite subject, but seeing her students excel in their own passions, for example sports, really makes her proud.

“I’d have some people in my class who are athletes and they work hard but they struggled, and it wasn’t fun for them, but they worked hard, and I admired that,” Erikson explained. “But then when I got to go see them play their sports, it was such a pleasure to see them full of joy.”

AFTER LEAVING Allen, Erikson plans to spend her retirement with her family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Before leaving Allen, Erikson shared some advice for incoming teachers.

“Enjoy it! Make sure you really enjoy what you’re doing; if you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing in the classroom the students won’t either,” Erikson said.