Eric Pinon is Lively’s new project specialist on the admin team. He also was one of the football coaches for this year. He started working at Lively in the summer and he played his own football during the season of football. I had the opportunity to interview him to get to know him better.
How long have you been working at lively?
I have been at Lively since July 1st this summer.
What made you decide to work?
So I was given the opportunity after Eastside to apply for the position that they had opened here and I applied here in the summer and I really really loved the staff and teachers. I think during my interview I came in and they all were doing the science week over the summer and it was teacher lead and that was the coolest thing ever and I never seen like a group of teachers come over and like least lead a whole summer group.
What is your job title and what is it you do?
So my job title is what we call a project specialist so I help all of the leadership team in very, very unique projects. I can go from testing to 504 to special visits from district in downtown like Congressman Doggett when he was here. I was in charge of planning that whole time for him. So those are things that I do for campus and then I do a lot of data: data analysis and strategy planning.
What do you love about lively?
I love that I get to hang out with my best friend Mr Johnson every day but most importantly, I truly do love our students. They make me laugh. Y’all make me laugh. You’ll teach me things a lot of new things. And then I love the leadership team and the teachers. The teachers here are truly amazing, top notch.
Do you sponsor any clubs, teams, or special groups at lively?
Actually just finished coaching the 7th grade football team.
What’s the best/worst thing about being at lively?
I really love the community here widely from the PTA all the way down to all our staff. It truly does feel like a family here and I think for me, (the worst thing is) the commute is long for me to come to work. Id be like thats the only thing that I struggle with other than that I love everything
How do you show your school spirit?
I try to attend as many lively events as possible. I always think very highly of our school and community. I always post all the crazy cool things that we’re doing.
Which teacher’s class would you like to enroll in for a day?
Science. I love science. I love teaching science. I would love to probably do like an anatomy/biology class where we dissect a frog.
Who or what inspires you?
Vinay Dulip. He was my mentor. He just passed away earlier this month. He was the reason why I wanted to become a teacher. He was my chemistry teacher. He was hard on me but he brought out the best in me and made me strive to be a better human being so every day I come to work and do what I do, I always think about him.
What’s the best thing about working at lively?
For me personally, learning from Mrs. Rodriguez. She has truly been an inspiration in leadership for me. She is somebody that is constantly working so hard for our school and she makes me want to be a better administrator one day.
Any last thoughts?
Be kind stay humble.
