Eric Wolgemuth is a 9th grade general science and chemistry teacher at Gig Harbor High School in Gig Harbor, WA but recently he has become a leading lobbyist for teachers’ jobs. Wolgemuth lobbied for the proposed job bill in Washington with recently laid-off educators, and fellow Classroom Supeheroes, Stephanie Walter and Cherine Akbari.

Although Wolgemuth was “reduced in force” (RIF) in 2009, he was rehired the following year. Wolgemuth credits Obama’s first stimulus bill as the reason he was rehired, and he says additional efforts are needed.

“Our district had major RIF’s before the bill, and none afterwards,” said Wolgemuth. “By utilizing the stimulus money to plug various and sundry holes and shortfalls in technology, maintenance, curriculum and such, our district didn’t have to cut me or any of the other new teachers.”

Wolgemuth also has a personal website, http://wolgemuthe.psd401.net/mrwphilosophy.html, which provides insight into his teaching philosophy and his background and passions in life.

As a teacher his goal everyday is simply to help students learn. “My favorite part of my job is seeing the impact that I have on my student’s lives in particular, the way they respond to challenge,” Wolgemuth said. “To see a student step up and do something they didn’t they could do is very rewarding.”

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