WWW.SHAKER.LIFE | WINTER 2022 71
Who: Eric Forman
Where: Fernway resident
Job: Principal of Onaway Elementary
School since 2016. The building
serves Shaker students in grades
K-4 from the Onaway, Ludlow, and
Malvern neighborhoods, and also
houses the early childhood education
program for the entire Shaker Heights
City School District.
Mission: I’m a big believer in
holistic education, and the District’s
International Baccalaureate program
matches that philosophy. One of the
things I truly love about IB is that a
student’s social/emotional health and
academics are equally important.
The attitudes and attributes of the IB
learner profile match our community
values in Shaker – caring, empathy,
the idea that we can have impact on
our space. We don’t want children to
learn in isolation; we want them to
achieve their best academically and as
community-oriented citizens.
At Onaway, we have a vision
statement that predates me: Every
person matters, every moment
counts. What that means is that all
of the interactions we have with one
another throughout the day are equally
important, between teachers and
students, between administrators and
staff, and student to student. That’s the
culture we’re building all the time here,
and that’s how I want my own children
to interact with others.
What I Love About My Work: First and foremost, I love the kids. Their spirit
and positivity are infectious. They believe in fairness, in right and wrong, and that
everyone doesn’t always have to agree, but we have to come together to solve
problems. During the pandemic, they understood the need to wear masks. We
didn’t have to teach it to them as a rule, they just got that this is how we keep
one another safe.
The staff we have here is incredibly creative, passionate, committed, and
student-centered, so any opportunities I have to work with them directly on
lessons or ways to support our students are the highlights of my day.
I also really love to talk to people about school in Shaker. The passion
people feel for our schools is an asset that the majority of school districts in this
country do not have. I think that’s what really separates Shaker from other places;
people move here and want to be invested in their children’s learning. When I
have the opportunity to give tours to prospective residents or work with people
in the City or at our libraries, and talk about the work we’re doing, I enjoy that
immensely. I honestly believe that the complexity and diversity in this community
give us opportunities to achieve things that other places don’t have. That’s what
makes me excited to get up in the morning.
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