LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dr. Eric Rodriguez was nominated by his spouse, Maritza Prieto Rodriguez.

"I asked my husband, 'If you could have chosen another career, what would it be,'" said Mrs. Rodriguez. "He replied, 'My heart is in education. I am made to teach, and I cannot do anything else because my heart would not be in it.' They say you can measure someone's life by how many other lives are better off because of their influence, which is why I feel compelled to nominate my husband. Eric has touched countless lives, including my own, and we are all enriched by his presence and influence. I would like to share some of the stories that convinced me that we should show our gratitude to Eric for the selfless passion and commitment he has demonstrated to others and his community."

"When I first met my husband in college at Sul Ross State University, I knew that he was dedicated to serving others," said Mrs. Rodriguez. "In almost every capacity possible, he lived out his commitment to be a force for good, growth, and service to the university. Later, during the year we graduated, he was named Man of the Year, an award given to the most dedicated and committed student representative. Service to others was not just an ideal my husband lived by; it was a calling that would govern and influence the rest of his life."

As Dr. Rodriguez began his education career, he naturally excelled in forming relationships with his colleagues, students, and parents. On countless occasions, former students and their parents stopped Dr. Rodriguez to thank him for the kindness and love that he poured out into his students. “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” is one of his favorite quotes. To him, it's a daily reminder that sometimes, the teacher is all students have. In many cases, a teacher can be the difference between life and death.

"I found a note one day in the pocket of a sports coat that my husband wore. It was from a student who left it on Eric’s desk," said Mrs. Rodriguez. "In summary, it expressed gratitude from one of his students. The student thanked Eric for being like a dad, because this particular student did not know/have one, and their mom was often away working. Later, I found out that when Eric did home visits to deliver missed work or help a student in need, he would visit this particular student."

"Another example of the transformative power of kindness that Eric wields came in a letter. Not paying attention to who it was addressed to, I opened it to find that a former student sent it to Eric," said Mrs. Rodriguez. "After asking for permission to read it, I was moved to joy-filled tears. The letter spoke of great memories in class, particularly during lunchtime, when Eric would open his classroom to anyone who wanted to hang out or who needed help. In the letter, the student admitted that he contemplated taking his life many times, but the one reason he did not was due to his concern that it would upset his teacher, Mr. Rodriguez. He knew my husband cared for him and all of the students in his care. In the student’s words, 'you were a light in my life when I was surrounded by darkness.' This student is now in his last year in college studying to be a teacher. These are only a few of the most moving examples that I would like to share, although there are so many more."

Dr. Rodriguez is currently serving his district as a Digital Learning Coach supporting teachers, students, and administrators in integrating educational technology. He accepted this position because so much of what he did in class was innovative, and his colleagues would regularly seek his assistance.

"When we discussed whether or not he should leave his beloved classroom, his reaction was that he would only do it if he was confident he could significantly impact student growth and achievement, which is indeed the case," said Mrs. Rodriguez. "During these past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused challenges beyond what many thought possible. Eric used this challenge as an opportunity to serve his students and community. He personally reached out to parents in the community to assist with technical troubleshooting or tutorials. He was contacted by hundreds of families throughout the district and in surrounding districts, as well. Eric utilized conference calling and social media to reach out to families and answer any questions or provide an ear to listen."

Because of his commitment to his vocation and the capacity he is employed, Dr. Rodriguez commits himself to learning as much as he can. Several years ago, he earned a Ph.D in Educational Technology and Design to gain deep insight and understanding of integrating and utilizing educational technology. He can leverage his knowledge and research skills to impact his district and community positively. Dr. Rodriguez also accepted an adjunct faculty position teaching education courses for the next generation of teachers earning a bachelor’s degree and those seeking to continue their education earning a master’s degree.

"As his wife and mother to our child, I could not ask for a better life-long partner," said Mrs. Rodriguez. "He has been a light when darkness seemed to creep in, not only in my life, but in the lives of so many others."