◆ “It has been really rewarding to see students achieve at their true potential.”

After 29 years teaching and coaching at Star Valley High School, McKay Erickson is retiring from education to pursue entrepreneurship and his bucket list.

McKay will conclude his career with a semester teaching United States Government and Senior Capstone courses. Over his three decades at SVHS, he has also instructed students in Human Relations, World History, Geography and Psychology. He coached Freshman, J.V. and Varsity football for 12 years and served as the Student Council teacher and advisor for 18 years.

Born the youngest of seven children to Kay and Delsa Erickson,” McKay was raised in Star Valley. “It was nearly a perfect childhood where we spent a lot of time in the outdoors and with family where I learned to work hard for what I wanted and to pay close attention to the relationships I made.”

After earning a degree and teaching certificate from Utah State University, McKay jumped at the chance to return to Star Valley, teach with LCSD No. 2 and raise his family here. “LCSD No. 2 was and is a great place to work and I always dreamed of returning and being a part of it. I loved the idea of having my kids around my family and friends.”

Since he returned to Star Valley, McKay’s family has grown to include his wife, Heidi, his daughter, Kadi, a son-in-law, Jon Shumway, and their baby boy, Briggs.  Andy and Tinsley, his son and daughter-in-law, live and work in Riverton.  Kynzi, his youngest daughter, is in her second year of nursing school.

With great mentors who inspired McKay in his youth, he chose to follow in their footsteps and give back. He knew that there would be nothing more rewarding than working with the youth in his community and giving them the tools they needed to succeed.

“Over the years in education, I have been fortunate to be able to adapt the classes and the way I teach to what our young people really need as far as practical and usable education,” McKay said. “It has been really rewarding to see students achieve at their true potential and me being a part of that has kept me loving my occupation.”

“Retirement” is not a term that describes McKay’s plans for the immediate future. He plans to launch a second career as a small business owner in timber services and pursue his bucket list of goals while he is still young enough to enjoy them.

“My dream for education in the future is that we strive to remember what it is about Star Valley that makes us great,” said McKay.  “We cannot lose sight of the values and goals that have made us what we are.  This is a great place to live and work and I truly have loved most every minute of it.”