Patricia Alexander, known to many of her former students as “Mrs. Nelson” is retiring after 23 years as principal at Ericsson Elementary School in Moline and 35 years overall in education. Her last day in the office is June 13, 2008. She lived in Wisconsin and Chicago before moving here in the eighth grade. She went to Glenview Middle School and United Township. Even though she’s been working in the Moline school district, she said that she cheers for UT. “It’s kind of hard to get it out of your system.”
Alexander earned a master’s degree from Western Illinois University. She says that her heroes growing up were her parents and that she enjoyed school. However, she never considered being a teacher. Alexander was a psychology major and a social work minor in college. Studying abnormal psychology, she once visited a private school and from there she was hooked on the education field.
When she first started working half-days at a preschool she made $4,125. “I thought I was rich,” she said. She was then hired as a full time special education teacher for the Moline School District. “I heard about an opening at Ericsson. I was thrilled when I got it. I was a young principal, only 34 years old.”
She was known for creativity and even kissed a pig after the students met the state testing requirements. Alexander even danced on the school roof after having foot surgery. “I called the fire department to see if they were not busy, could you please come over.” Alexander noted the Celebrate Ericsson parade also grew in her time as principal. “It’s a very good way to start the year,” she said.
In her 23 years as principal, Alexander said that the population of the school has gone down, the staff that can speak Spanish has gone up, and said that the community is a big part of education. As principal, she said that it’s not as easy as it looks. “There’s a lot more to it. It’s not like there’s a break, you’re busy all day long. So many things are spur of the moment and certainly not planned,” she said.
Alexander said that the things she will miss most are the people, staff, and the kids. The thing she will miss the least is the paperwork. “When you work in a government agency there’s lots of paperwork and a lot of reports. You wonder if anyone looks at them,” she said.
The principal likes what she does but said that after 35 years, she wants to retire. “I have two grandchildren and am moving to Colorado. There are a lot of things I want to do, I love the mountains. I want to get out, like to ski,” she said.
Alexander has always stressed the importance of attending college to her current and past students. She said that she is very proud when former students come in and that the staff is proud when some of the students are homecoming king or queen. A wall of fame with pictures of Ericsson high school graduates was added to encourage kids to stay in school.
“I believe we have something to do. They have to graduate from high school. The wall of fame is of the utmost importance.”
In her students’ pursuit of higher education, Alexander has told her former students that she would take them herself to college to fill out the necessary requirements. “Average students can go, if you want to go, you can go,” she said.
Alexander did not know about the future of Ericsson School and whether the school district may close it down. “They’re trying to determine the best way to handle 2nd language learners. Make sure they’re ready. There’s so many ideas, some people teach in their native language. Parents want English, want kids to retain Spanish; they’re trying to determine the best approach, it’s an up and down battle. Right now, we have a very good program.”
She said being principal can be very lonely. “It’s kind of a lonely position. You’re not a member of the teaching staff; don’t see other principals very often. You don’t fit in, here after everyone goes home, as late as 7 at night. Things that come up unexpected and there’s still work to be done,” she said.
Juanita Terronez will be principal at Ericsson beginning this fall. Terronez has been a teacher at Ericsson and the transition should be smooth. (Please Read ‘Juanita Terronez, Principal In Waiting’)
Alexander is happy that someone from the inside was hired. “Initially, she’s going to keep things the way they are. The teachers, kids, nobody wants things to change. It would have been hard for someone from the outside,” she said.
As for retirement plans, Alexander is moving to Colorado with her husband. She said that she will be a substitute in Colorado. For fun outside of school, she likes motorcycle riding. Alexander and her husband bought a motorcycle so they can ride together.
“We enjoy traveling; very much our children, enjoy them tremendously. I wish we could lock them up,” she joked. “I love being a grandmother.”
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