Faculty Alum Friday: Erin Johnson Forbes, Class of 2005

BRHSF: How long have you work at Baton Rouge High School?

EJF: 10 years

BRHSF: Why did you choose to work at BRHS?

EJF: I always dreamed of coming back to Baton Rouge High to teach, but I thought it would be maybe five, ten years into my teaching career. But when one of the English teachers took a sabbatical, I was hired to fill in for her for a year, and ended up staying on! Serendipity!

BRHSF: How did BRHS prepare you for college and/or your career?

EJF: My experience at Baton Rouge High as a student.

BRHSF: What activities were you involved in as a student at BRHS?

EJF: Swim team and Tri-Hi-Y (Model UN)

BRHSF: What teachers or staff influenced you as a student at BRHS and how?

EJF: Donna Parker was my freshman and junior English teacher. She taught me how to write an essay and inspired my love of literature! I also had Ms. Wood for piano. Her class was always a “safe place,” where I felt very relaxed and peaceful and comfortable.

BRHSF: What is a fun fact, embarrassing moment, or funny story about yourself from high school or now?

EJF: I got “best eyes” my senior year. One time Coach Nee gave me TOR for wearing backless shoes!

BRHSF:  What advice would you give current students?

EJF: Focus on developing your organizational and time management skills; these are the things that will help you the most in college! Make to-do lists, write schedules, use a planner, a bullet journal, figure out what works for you! But in addition to studying, make sure to make memories and enjoy the small moments! Some of the things I remember the most vividly from high school are little things–eating lunch on the front lawn, riding to school in the morning with one of my friends after he got his license, hanging out in a random parking lot listening to music in someone’s car, staying up all night with my friends to study for an AP U.S. History test, etc. Make sure to savor these small moments; you can’t appreciate now how precious they are!