Eric Nichols - Crane, OR

No one wears a police badge or fire hat in Crane, OR and to buy a tube of toothpaste, you drive 30 minutes to the next nearest town. Community is the school and the “only show in town,” says Principal and Head Boys Basketball coach, Eric Nichols of Crane Union High School in Crane, OR. Crane is located in eastern Harney County, OR and covers over 9,000 square miles, which is larger than 7 states. Crane Union High School is the last public boarding school and houses around 100 students throughout the school year. Like many rural educators, Eric wears several hats at Crane Union High School: principal, basketball coach, bus driver, sometimes grounds keeper and many others. For him and his rural school, it’s “where the magic happens.”

Growing up in Baker, OR, about two hours north of Crane, Eric was inspired by his 5th grade teacher, Mr. Payne. Attending a more traditional school, Mr. Payne gave Eric the excitement to learn and remember history lessons, especially the 1988 election between George Bush and Michael Dukakis. “I really enjoyed school all the way through high school, I probably spent way more time there than I should have,” Eric recalls. “Those doors were open at 5 a.m., and they usually didn't close until I was ready to go home. The custodians were cool, and the teachers knew that it was cool that I was there with some other kids as well.” Eric’s experience growing up in a supportive school environment has pushed him to meet all the needs of his students. “We had some caring adults in our school system, and that's what we're trying to do on our campus as well,” Eric reflected.

Eric attended undergraduate school at Boise State University, and began teaching in the Boise area at a larger high school with about 2,400 kids. After relocating to Burns, OR after marriage, Eric connected with the basketball program and took the coaching position where he fell in love with it. While coaching in the rural school community, Eric led professional development opportunities for one room school houses across the state, but found he wanted to be more involved with the classroom atmosphere. He then found himself at Crane and was able to help rural teachers and students.

While assisting in rural schools, Eric created a group called Wide Open Spaces. This group is for rural administrators, future administrators or future teacher leaders. “It's a network where we've started to get together and talk shop. We talk about the goods, the bads, the pluses, the minuses, and how to get better,” Eric stated. “We're there to help each other, it's the collaborative, it's the collection, it's the group. We're there to give each other high fives. We're there to give each other hugs. We're there to be the shoulder to cry on, but we're also there to celebrate and help each other out.” As a rural administrator, this organization is for reassurance and confidence each day through any situation.

Crane Union High School is the community hub. On Friday night, one can see the football stadium lights from miles away and everyone shows up to cheer on the school. “Everybody shows up. You're an hour and a half away, that’s what you do. Folks are finishing up hay season. Cattle are being moved back home. Friday and Saturday nights are for socializing at the school.” As head basketball coach, Eric remembers looking behind him one Friday evening at a basketball game and recognizing how many community members showed up to support the team. Parents, grandparents, siblings, students in other grades at the school show up to give their support. When there is an event taking place at the school, that is the place to be. When recalling the experience, Eric described feeling immense support for the students and having goosebumps from the emotion it stirred.

As a small but widespread rural school community, Career and Technical Education is a large focus for many of the students at Crane. With a strong relationship with the Oregon Department of Education, Eric has been able to apply for grants to help boost these programs. “We just got a grant through the Department of Education that will support putting in a land lab. We are going to farm various crops. Students will learn all the things that go into farming with various crops and also have a tractor certification program available to them. We bought a big old tractor. Our instructors are getting certified on how to teach it and then our students will be able to certify driving a tractor,” Eric excitedly explained. The school has robust ranching and constructing communities to lean on, so they are now able to offer practical lessons to their students.

What advice would Eric have for newer rural educators? Eric discussed the importance of connections. “There is nothing more important than making decisions for students and teachers outside of silos. For your career's success, networking with other folks is key. The more people you can call on in your circle during every moment, the better.” He emphasized that whenever rural educators can openly collaborate through tough times, they can also celebrate during the bright moments. “Call me, here is my number, here's my email and let’s collaborate to make your school a better place. When tough times come, call me and I will listen. There’s nothing more valuable than helping our kids.”

Thank you to Eric Nichols for sharing his rural teacher story with Rural Schools Collaborative. Your dedication and passion for rural education is inspiring. Want to share your story as a rural educator? Fill out our online submission form here.

Learn more about the amazing work being led by RSC's Pacific Northwest Regional Hub, Eastern Oregon University, here.

Interested in learning more about rural teacher preparation programs? Check out our Rural Teacher Corps program page, here.