AHS Teacher Profile: Jeri Eshelman

Jeri Eshelman

Everyone on campus knows and loves Mrs. Eshelman!... and that’s because she knows and loves everyone.  Everyone!  As Arcadia’s Lead Secruty Officer, her number one priority is the students and their safety.  She has worked for SUSD 32 years, serving the past 20 at Arcadia High School.  Her education background includes:

• BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in Chemistry

When asked to describe Mrs. Eshelman, students, peers, parents, and teachers responded:  icon, efficient, reliable, always available, gregarious, loyal, knowledgeable, best friend, trustworthy, funny, loving, and “mom”.

Mrs. Eshelman has two brothers.  She grew up in Chicago and moved to Arizona in 1971 to attend ASU.  She met her husband, _____ and a graduate of Coronado H.S., while attending ASU.

It is clear Mrs. Eshelman loves her job and truly cares about all of “her” students!  She makes it a point to meet and learn about every student on campus.  Not only does she know all of them, but ALL students know her!  She probably attends more activities and Arcadia events than any other staff member: every on-campus sporting event, art show, play, dance, musical performance, and special events like Hopi’s Variety Show, robotics competitions, alumni tours, Lacrosse games and more.  She cares about the kids’ well-being, reminding them to make smart choices, and to always be respectful regardless of who the person is.  

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT ARCADIA:
Working with the students.  I love being “mom” to students on campus, in fact a lot of students call me mom.   Give me five year olds vs. 1800 high schoolers and I will choose the high schoolers every time!  ☺

HOBBIES OR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WHEN NOT WORKING
Playing with my grandson who is 16 months old  

DOG OR CAT?
Dog!  I’m not home enough right now, but I will get another one when I retire.  My sweet dog of 17 ½ years, Blue, passed away last Thanksgiving.  

A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY
I have two daughters who attended Hopi, IMS, and Arcadia.  They still live in AZ.

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD?
The way I deal with people- with respect.  I believe:  1.  Nobody is any better than another… we all put our pants on one leg at a time.  2.  I like to kill people with kindness:  you can’t make someone like you, just be kind.  3.  Walk away before there’s an issue.

A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE
Everybody knows everything about me!  Oh, maybe:  I use to own a Continental Basketball Association Team, Rockford Lightning.   

Submitted by Amanda McCauley Spring 2017

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