Back to School: Meet Social Studies Teacher Eric Cichocki

Eric Cichocki, a new social studies teacher at , will go above and beyond to help history come alive for his students.

"I've been going to antique stores, flea markets, trying to find cool newspapers or magazines," Cichocki said. "In addition to lecturing, if you show somebody a magazine from 1905, all of sudden the lesson can become a lot more interesting."

Cichocki will be teaching U.S. history and world history at THS. He comes to Tolland after spending two years at The Grove School in Madison, a boarding school for at-risk youths.

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He said that he applied for the Tolland position as soon as he learned it was open because he enjoys both the district's facilities and the faculty.

Beyond teaching his curriculum, Cichocki said that he hopes he can positively influence the lives of his students as they prepare for college and the work force.

"When you work at the high school level, it's like the last step before entering the outside world," he said. "I feel like you can really have a huge impact on the students," he added, crediting several of his own high school teachers with guiding him at that pivotal stage of his life.

Cichocki earned his Bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and also spent a few years at UConn.