Honoring Erinn
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We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Erinn Guggenheimer while she was a part of 916 and are devastated to no longer have her as a part of our lives and our community. We are hoping to honor Erinn's life and commitment to her family and students by raising money for her boys' education and compiling a series of stories in the comments section that could be shared with Erinn's boys, Jack and Caleb, and husband Ethan.
During her 12+ years with 916, Erinn shared so much of herself with us and with our students. As a teacher, she created a culture of learning by embracing high expectations, accountability and a strong belief in her students. As a site lead, she took that vision schoolwide and worked to create a powerful sense of community among staff and students. Erinn made time to meet with students, listened to them 1-on-1, helped them to set goals, and pushed them to be the best version of themselves. It was important to Erinn that students be supported in whatever career/educational path they chose. She helped kids with college/job applications, letters of recommendation and testing needs. It was important also to Erinn that students be recognized and valued. She had a calendar in her classroom of students’ birthdays and took time to celebrate them. She was also an integral part of the 2.0 Club and had weekly drawings for credit-earning students. Erinn wanted kids to work hard, but she also wanted school to be fun. She convinced kids to participate in spirit week games, marched them down Central Ave to the pool hall to learn geometry, and brought pie to share on Pi Day. She brought staff and students together with games at lunch, Thanksgiving meals, and community building Fridays. Erinn also made amazing coffee cake. But honestly, everything she made was delicious. It is impossible for us to think of school community, of high expectations, of 916 and not think of Erinn.
Not surprisingly, Erinn’s energy, creativity, and investment in education was also a part of her life at home. Erinn often spoke with pride about her boys’ school and activities. A few months ago, a teacher from 916, Eric, was over at her house and witnessed Erinn orchestrating reading time with Jack and Caleb. Sometime between school and dinner, the boys were expected to read for 20 minutes of whatever they chose. That evening, Caleb tried to end early, but Erinn wouldn’t let him. She turned to Eric and said, "I'm kinda a hard ass about academics, as you can imagine based on work. Just because I have cancer doesn't mean you get out of reading time."
Although we could never match what Erinn gave to our staff and our students, we would like to honor her by supporting her family as we all grieve together. Because of Erinn’s passion toward education and her focus on Jack’s and Caleb’s futures, we want to help invest in their education as well. For these reasons, we have set up a fund to be used for Jack’s and Caleb’s future education.
Please donate what you are able, any amount will be helpful. The money will be directed to Ethan to use as he sees fit to support Jack and Caleb’s future education expenses.
Additionally, we encourage anyone who personally knew Erinn to leave a memory about her that Jack and Caleb can read when they use the money from this fund. Memories about Erinn could be about her dedication to education, a funny story or Erinnism, a favorite story, etc.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and for donating and sharing a memory if you are able. We appreciate everyone's effort to support Erinn’s family in this difficult time.
During her 12+ years with 916, Erinn shared so much of herself with us and with our students. As a teacher, she created a culture of learning by embracing high expectations, accountability and a strong belief in her students. As a site lead, she took that vision schoolwide and worked to create a powerful sense of community among staff and students. Erinn made time to meet with students, listened to them 1-on-1, helped them to set goals, and pushed them to be the best version of themselves. It was important to Erinn that students be supported in whatever career/educational path they chose. She helped kids with college/job applications, letters of recommendation and testing needs. It was important also to Erinn that students be recognized and valued. She had a calendar in her classroom of students’ birthdays and took time to celebrate them. She was also an integral part of the 2.0 Club and had weekly drawings for credit-earning students. Erinn wanted kids to work hard, but she also wanted school to be fun. She convinced kids to participate in spirit week games, marched them down Central Ave to the pool hall to learn geometry, and brought pie to share on Pi Day. She brought staff and students together with games at lunch, Thanksgiving meals, and community building Fridays. Erinn also made amazing coffee cake. But honestly, everything she made was delicious. It is impossible for us to think of school community, of high expectations, of 916 and not think of Erinn.
Not surprisingly, Erinn’s energy, creativity, and investment in education was also a part of her life at home. Erinn often spoke with pride about her boys’ school and activities. A few months ago, a teacher from 916, Eric, was over at her house and witnessed Erinn orchestrating reading time with Jack and Caleb. Sometime between school and dinner, the boys were expected to read for 20 minutes of whatever they chose. That evening, Caleb tried to end early, but Erinn wouldn’t let him. She turned to Eric and said, "I'm kinda a hard ass about academics, as you can imagine based on work. Just because I have cancer doesn't mean you get out of reading time."
Although we could never match what Erinn gave to our staff and our students, we would like to honor her by supporting her family as we all grieve together. Because of Erinn’s passion toward education and her focus on Jack’s and Caleb’s futures, we want to help invest in their education as well. For these reasons, we have set up a fund to be used for Jack’s and Caleb’s future education.
Please donate what you are able, any amount will be helpful. The money will be directed to Ethan to use as he sees fit to support Jack and Caleb’s future education expenses.
Additionally, we encourage anyone who personally knew Erinn to leave a memory about her that Jack and Caleb can read when they use the money from this fund. Memories about Erinn could be about her dedication to education, a funny story or Erinnism, a favorite story, etc.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and for donating and sharing a memory if you are able. We appreciate everyone's effort to support Erinn’s family in this difficult time.
Organizer and beneficiary
past and present 916 Staff
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Ethan Guggenheimer
Beneficiary
