MANISTIQUE — St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (SFDS) welcomes Don Erickson as its new principal. He replaces Melissa Wood, who will be returning to her role as first grade teacher full-time in the fall.

“I cannot thank Melissa enough for her hard work these past two years in the office,” said Erickson. “She has been able to continue pushing us forward as a staff, specifically with curriculum changes. Her leadership helped pave the way for full implementation and staff buy-in.”

Before launching his career as an educator, Erickson graduated from Manistique High School in 2003, and earned his bachelor degree in 2008. He graduated from Baker College of Owosso, Mich. with a degree in secondary education with a major in English and a minor in history. He also earned his master degree in school leadership and educational technology from Michigan State University in 2014.

After completing a one-year internship in seventh and eighth grade classrooms in Perry, Mich., at Perry Middle School, Erickson began his career at Carver-Edisto Middle School near Orangeburg, S.C. in August 2008 where he taught seventh grade English language arts.

Upon returning home to Manistique in 2011, Erickson accepted a teaching position at St. Francis de Sales School.

He is married to Edie Erickson and they have one daughter, Charlotte, and reside in Manistique. He and his family are members of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Erickson said he is hoping for a bright, new future for all the students at SFDS School.

“I have very specific goals I wish to accomplish over this upcoming school year regarding staff, physical plant, technology, and safety,” he said. “I know these improvements will help us to continue advancing our mission of bringing together learning, living, and values in light of our Catholic faith through Jesus Christ.”

Not only is staff integral in the quality of education produced at

MANISTIQUE — St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (SFDS) welcomes Don Erickson as its new principal. He replaces Melissa Wood, who will be returning to her role as first grade teacher full-time in the fall.

“I cannot thank Melissa enough for her hard work these past two years in the office,” said Erickson. “She has been able to continue pushing us forward as a staff, specifically with curriculum changes. Her leadership helped pave the way for full implementation and staff buy-in.”

Before launching his career as an educator, Erickson graduated from Manistique High School in 2003, and earned his bachelor degree in 2008. He graduated from Baker College of Owosso, Mich. with a degree in secondary education with a major in English and a minor in history. He also earned his master degree in school leadership and educational technology from Michigan State University in 2014.

After completing a one-year internship in seventh and eighth grade classrooms in Perry, Mich., at Perry Middle School, Erickson began his career at Carver-Edisto Middle School near Orangeburg, S.C. in August 2008 where he taught seventh grade English language arts.

Upon returning home to Manistique in 2011, Erickson accepted a teaching position at St. Francis de Sales School.

He is married to Edie Erickson and they have one daughter, Charlotte, and reside in Manistique. He and his family are members of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Erickson said he is hoping for a bright, new future for all the students at SFDS School.

“I have very specific goals I wish to accomplish over this upcoming school year regarding staff, physical plant, technology, and safety,” he said. “I know these improvements will help us to continue advancing our mission of bringing together learning, living, and values in light of our Catholic faith through Jesus Christ.”