Eric Terrell’s journey to becoming a STEM teacher at Herrin Junior High School isn’t the traditional path most teachers take. With a background that includes organic farming, information technology, and real estate appraisal, Eric’s experiences give him a unique lens through which he engages students in science, technology, engineering, and math. “I like to say my career has been one big experiment,” Eric says with a smile. And lucky for the students in Herrin, they’re benefiting from all that Eric has learned along the way.

Eric’s classroom is a hands-on haven for project-based learning (PBL), where sixth through eighth graders are building drones, creating farm tiles, and even growing their own vegetables with LED grow lights. His teaching philosophy is simple: keep students engaged through real-world applications. “When they’re planting cucumbers or building catapults, they don’t realize they’re doing math or science—they’re just having fun,” Eric says. And that’s the key to his success.

Before Eric arrived at Herrin, he’d already lived several lives. He spent years working for Quest Diagnostics, managing IT systems for their Dallas Fort Worth operations. Then, after a brief detour into mortgage banking, he transitioned into real estate appraisal, following in his father’s footsteps. But the economic crash of 2008 threw him a curveball. “Lehman Brothers happened, and the world changed overnight,” he recalls. It was during that time that Eric decided to go back to school to pursue his true passion— teaching.

“I got my degree in history and social science and joined Teach for America,” he explains. This gave him the opportunity to work in Title I schools in Texas, and later, in South Dakota on Native American reservations, teaching math and social sciences. It was in South Dakota that Eric first started a “garden to table” STEM class, merging his love for organic farming and education. “We raised plants in the classroom, made pickles, even baked bread—it was a whole food systems experience.”

Eric’s love for organic farming came from his grandmother, who taught him to farm when he was just a child in Colorado. He took those lessons with him through each phase of his life, and now, his students benefit from them too. “I’m a farmer at heart,” Eric says, proudly describing his current classroom setup. “I’ve got LED grow lights, shelves of plants, and even two production-level hydroponic units. The kids are learning how to grow food, which is something I think everyone should know how to do.”

After several years teaching in South Dakota and spending time as a full-time organic farmer on his family’s land in Oklahoma, Eric moved to southern Illinois. “We came here because of the weather, the trees, and the parks,” he says, mentioning the family’s love for foraging and spending time outdoors. “It was just the right fit for us.”

Once in Herrin, Eric was given the freedom to design his own STEM program. “When I interviewed for the job, I asked, ‘What are we doing here?’ And the principal said, ‘I don’t know, what do you want to do?’” Eric laughs. “So, I brought my farm-to-table concept here. We’re teaching kids not just about science and engineering but also about sustainability and where their food comes from.”

One of Eric’s favorite activities with his students involves an unusual produce item—Armenian cucumbers. “One of my eighth graders brought them in from his grandma’s garden,” Eric recalls. “Most of the students had never seen them before. We sliced them up, tasted them, and then I brought some home to pickle and brought those back to class for them to try.” It’s moments like these—when learning is connected to something tangible—that make Eric’s approach so effective.

His eighth-grade class isn’t just about career exploration; it’s about building things, too. From catapults to balloon cars, Eric makes sure his students understand how math and science are applied in everyday life. “We’re using engineering principles to build these projects,” he says. “And it’s not just about the projects themselves— it’s about teaching them how to think critically, how to solve problems.”

For Eric, the rewards of teaching go beyond the classroom. “It’s a small town, so I see my students everywhere,” he says. “When my six-year-old son asks if the kid waving at me is one of my students, it’s a reminder of how much I love what I do. These kids are part of our community, and I’m proud to be a part of their journey.”

Eric’s unorthodox path has shaped him into the teacher he is today, and his students are better for it. “I’ve always been a hands-on learner,” he says, “and that’s what I bring to my classroom. These kids don’t even realize they’re learning sometimes—they’re just having fun.”

Having a teacher like Eric Terrell isn’t just about teaching science—it’s about teaching students how to think, grow, and build a future that’s as sustainable as it is bright.