There are people who walk the halls of a school and leave behind something far greater than policies or procedures. They leave behind belief. In people. In purpose. In possibility. Eric Goslinga is one of those people.
Eric is retiring from the principalship this month after 35 years in education as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. But make no mistake: he is not retiring from serving students and teachers. His next chapter is still unwritten, but one thing is clear, his calling to support and uplift others isn’t going anywhere. It’s simply taking on a new form.
Eric’s career is a masterclass in what it means to lead with heart, humility, and fierce commitment. He has never just shown up to do a job. He has shown up to make a difference. Every decision he’s made has centered on what is best for students and what is right for staff. His leadership is rooted in service, not status. And it shows.
You can feel it in the way students light up when they see him in the hallway. You can hear it in the calm reassurance he offers a struggling teacher. You can see it in the small, quiet moments—the check-ins, the handwritten notes, the subtle yet intentional way he shows people they matter. Eric doesn’t need to raise his voice to be heard. His integrity speaks louder than words ever could.
In addition, Eric has served student through the Marine Cadets ince 2001. The discipline, structure, and sense of duty he cultivated there have deeply influenced the way he shows up in schools. But what’s most remarkable is how those values coexist so effortlessly with compassion, empathy, and grace. He’s a leader who knows when to stand firm and when to simply stand beside you.
Eric expects the best from people, not out of pressure, but because he sees their potential—even when they can’t yet see it themselves. He has believed in teachers when they were at their lowest. He has called out the best in students whom others had written off. And he has created a culture where people want to grow, because they feel safe doing it.
There are many kinds of leadership. Some are built on authority. Some are built on charisma. Eric’s is built on trust. Over the years, he has mentored countless educators, empowering them to lead in their own right. He doesn’t just pass on knowledge, he passes on belief. He makes space for others to shine and then steps back, letting them find their voice. That kind of leadership doesn’t just impact a school, it transforms it.
As he steps away from the principal’s office, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. I know things won’t quite be the same without him in that role. His steady presence, his thoughtful guidance, his unshakable calm in the face of chaos, they’ve been a cornerstone of our community. But I also know this is not the end. Eric may be retiring from a position, but not from a purpose. And if you know him, you know he won’t be idle for long.
He has too much wisdom to share. Too much heart to offer. Too much passion for this work to simply walk away. His next chapter may still be taking shape, but whatever role he steps into next, it will no doubt involve lifting up others. Because that’s who he is.
To Eric: thank you. Thank you for being the kind of leader who leads from the middle, among us, beside us, never above us. Thank you for giving your all, year after year, not for recognition, but because it’s what you were called to do. Thank you for modeling the kind of strength that doesn’t overpower, but empowers.
You’ve changed lives. You’ve shaped futures. And though your job title may be changing, your impact never will.
Your story isn’t ending. It’s evolving. And I cannot wait to see what you do next.
Paula Johnson Tech 
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