SAN JOSE, CALIF.⸺ Silver Creek High School’s very own Erik Uribe shares about his upbringing and passions outside of teaching American history.

Born and raised in San Jose, Calif., Uribe has resided in the Bay Area his whole life. As he grew up, Uribe enjoyed playing baseball, watching football, and playing video games during his pastimes and to wind down; Nintendo Switch games such as Pokemon and Legend of Zelda are two of his favorite games to indulge in. Uribe also enjoys watching “Friends” and Youtube Shorts on baseball and hockey. 

His favorite quote is from Star Wars, “The ax forgets, but the tree remembers.” He explained that it means some people do hurtful things to others and don’t realize it, but the people on the receiving end will always feel the impact.

Uribe would describe himself as laid back, caring, and understanding. During his interview, Uribe was asked what he related to in nature and he responded with, “a willow tree”. He loves their droopy, “go with the flow”,  hair-like branches and leaves. 

He had been more of a quiet kid during his teenage years, but becoming a teacher has helped him speak out more over time. “I’m introverted, but I really like to talk to people,” Uribe expressed. 

Uribe is a man who exudes kindness in every word said and action displayed. He looks out for everyone, especially his students, who he is known to be very patient and kind toward. “I feel safe going in Mr. Uribe’s class and happy knowing I’ll get a smile and wave both on the way in and out,” one of his students shared. 

Attributable to Uribe’s own history teacher at Del Mar High School, Mrs. Furton, he had inspiration to become a history teacher from her everlasting kindness. He always found the subject of history to be most enjoyable and fascinating in learning how everything in the world is connected in some way, big or small. He then went on to achieve his teaching credentials at San Jose State University. 

As a history teacher, Uribe’s own historical figure is Napoleon, because of his memorable successes on the battlefield as a young leader. Uribe strives for success just as Napoleon did. 

Being a teacher is no simple feat. Uribe shared that his toughest obstacle as a teacher was learning to teach in front of a class, no matter how well he knew the material. He analogized this to being a train conductor; “Trying to be a conductor and making sure the trains are moving smoothly and not getting derailed can be very difficult.” It takes practice and being thrown into the fire in order to improve. 

 Some of Uribe’s advice for high schoolers is that things may not make sense now, but they will clear up as time progresses. “You’re not fully grown up yet, and it takes years of progress; then everything will make more and more sense,” Uribe shares. 

Uribe deeply cares for his students and their successes in life, and he is there to help them strive to become their best selves. He is not only a hardworking teacher, but he is one who puts in all of his effort to ensure his students feel comfortable and safe in his classroom.