What Erica Bartos Can't Work Without

What does it take to teach at Stone in 2023? It takes deep creativity, and a relentless love of students, a commitment to Designing for Joy. And really good coffee, and a few comfort-items to see us through these challenging days!

Periodically, we ask Stone Faculty members to talk about the “stuff” — the tools, the devices, the gear, the go-to-things —which enable them to show up for their students and care for their students while also providing some all-important self-care. Today, physics instructor Erica Bartos shares with us a few of the things “Erica Can’t Work Without”!

I have been hiking, camping, building, and traveling with high school students since I was one. My “work” has never been bounded by the four (or two?) walls of my classroom — on fields, boats or construction sites, in rivers or classrooms, you will likely find me with these five things: 

• Specialized footwear. Are we taking water samples at a river? Need my waders. Building a house or really getting dirty? Time for my trusty* steel-toed work boots. (*A large horse once stepped on my right foot with most of his weight. The steel bent a bit but definitely did its job.) Going snorkeling? Let me grab my fins.

• Sunglasses. A nice stranger once asked, “Are those sweet sunglasses keeping out the sun or the haters?” I spend a lot of time outside, hopefully in the sun, and I like to keep my peepers working well.

• A pencil behind my ear or stuck in my hair. I think I picked this habit up when I started working on construction sites. Often, I forget that one is already there and then there are multiple. They all then end up in my car. That’s probably TMI.

• Yeti full of iced coffee. Yes, even in the winter. Preferably Dunkin — I’m a totally stereotypical New Englander.

• My well-worn duffle bag - Whether I’m actually traveling or just bringing the day’s variety of clothing and footwear, my duffle bag has put on many, many miles. 

My last one is a bonus, as it’s only allowed sometimes: my sidekick, Sully. Sully is my Australian Shepherd who hikes, camps, and hangs out at practices. He loves watching over his herd of teenagers.

See also: What Linus Morales Can’t Work Without; What Horst Rosenberg Can’t Work Without; What Andrew Hermeling Can’t Work Without; What Molly Holden Can’t Work Without;

Ready to learn more about Erica, and about all of our other amazing faculty members, too? Click right here to schedule your private tour!