"In teaching Touch the Top of the World and sharing Erik’s amazing journey with my students, they could not have been more engaged. I used the curriculum to teach my students about overcoming the adversity in their own lives and how each person has to work to overcome something while trying to succeed and make a positive difference in the world. Even now, months after, they are talking about their vision and desire to pursue adventure in their own lives. From writing to geography, this was a great way to get my students interested in learning about the world around them."
Chris DeRemerSocial Studies TeacherMountain Range HS, Colorado
"This was the best day in the history of Roxbury Latin."
Reverend Tony JarvisHeadmaster Roxbury Latin, Boston
"When I came across the Touch the Top educational package I knew this would be just the thing for my students. In one unit of my class, we talk about what makes a person a true leader. I discuss attributes of leadership like honor, trust, courage, vision and inspiration – and Erik’s story fit in perfectly. It was a great true-life example of leadership and courage. My students were very excited to read Erik’s book and then watch the film of his Mt. Everest Expedition. I think that being able to show them a well-prepared curriculum which included Erik’s book and engaging films really helped my students grasp their own ideas of leadership and overcoming the challenges they face."
Matt HamiltonTeacherEast Jordan Middle School, East Jordan, MI
"The Touch the Top of the World Educational Package and curriculum guide are an extremely beneficial tool in teaching English Language Arts. As a special education teacher, I need clear instruction to help my students with Reading and/or Writing Disabilities. The curriculum guide makes it very easy to separate the book into three distinct parts, allowing for engaging questions and reflection as well as appropriate time for assessment. The guide also includes numerous ideas for additional lessons and connections between Erik’s films and his memoir. This multimedia component really helped my students to stay connected and to get a broader perspective of Erik’s achievements and message."
Kathy RodgersTeacherBridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, MA
"Your talk and multimedia show for Ethics Day was undoubtedly the best that I have experienced in my 12 years as Head of Kent Denver School. It was poignant, inspirational, humorous, and captivated every single 6th through 12th grade student with whom I talked."
Todd HornHeadmaster Kent Denver School
"Erik's presentation last evening was absolutely the best and most inspirational NCTM Opening Session I have heard in my many years of attending the organization's conferences. Attendees have stopped me today to say how much they were moved by Erik's comments."
Carol EdwardsEvent ChairNational Council for Teachers in Mathematics
"I cannot tell you how many faculty and parents came up to me in the days following your visit to thank me for having you speak to their children. You were the topic of conversation at dozens of dinner tables in Beaufort! Yours is a tremendous story. Your accomplishments alone command respect and interest; the fact that you are blind only makes your story more compelling."
Woody RutterHeadmaster Beaufort Academy
"My students were absolutely riveted by Erik's story. It is certainly a world apart from their day-to-day here in Thailand. I'm so glad that I was able to share this unique bit of the world with my students and hope that even the little lessons they learn seep into them as they grow up."
Kim MeekerTeacherInternational Community School – Bangkok, Thailand
"Having Erik’s amazing example of determination and courage to describe to our students is such a wonderful gift. I hope it will convince them that truly anything is possible if they set their minds to it. Here’s to No Limits!"
Jim Gianvito Special Education TeacherKunsberg School , Denver, CO
"Just a short note to let you know that Erik "blew away" the whole community of Episcopal High School!!! Rob Hershey, our headmaster, said to me that Erik was a "rare gift" to our students; and our legendary senior master of 39 years, Ed Rice (math teacher, football coach, A.D., and track coach) sent Rob an e-mail telling him that, in all his 42 years in education, Erik was the most inspiring speaker he has ever heard at The High School."
Jim FraserTeacher Episcopal High, Virginia
