trevordayschool

and Mets fan—which says volumes about optimism and commitment. In schools, we often hear about foundational skills. But skills mean little without the people who give them meaning. And Eric was one of those people who gave meaning to learning for so many of us. Over the last several months, tributes have poured in that give us glimpses into his magic. One alum remembered how Eric coaxed him from reading only Calvin and Hobbes to becoming a lifelong reader. Another described how "he treated the student as a full human being, not a difficult kid." And many recalled the simple joy of his presence: "We all wanted to sit next to him in the class picture, because we loved him so much." Parents, too, wrote about what it was like to entrust their children to Eric. One mother recalled worrying about her son. Eric reassured her with the words: "He's a great kid. He's going to be just fine. I love talking with him and listening to his ideas. He's got a great mind." She wrote, "With Eric's passing, there is one fewer person in the world who loves and believes in our beautiful son. This thought breaks my heart until I remember how lucky we all are to have had him in our lives." Another said simply, "Eric made me a better parent, made our son feel loved, and delighted our daughter by being the funniest lava monster in the 2nd grade." Eric's classroom shaped not only children, but also generations of teachers. Many of his associate teachers went on to become extraordinary educators themselves. A former colleague recounts that "His focus on strengths, and on finding and delighting in the best in people, has contributed to my approach with children and families." Another colleague wrote, "Working with Eric was the gift of a lifetime." Yet another remembered him as "an agent of chaos, but always with purpose, always with care." For some, their entire approach to teaching—and even parenting—was influenced by watching Eric day after day, creating joy and structure, seriousness and play, always in balance. Eric was also meticulous. He layered his bulletin boards for the entire year before September began. He stayed late, planned deeply, and yet always had time for his students, for their families, for his colleagues, for a joke, for a song. He also was adept with technology, always working to find a balance between foundational teaching principles and innovation. And beyond Trevor, Eric was a devoted father. He was fiercely proud of his sons—Zef, Jasper, and Cassidy—each of whom came through Trevor. He often told us how grateful he was that Trevor had celebrated his children for the unique selves that they are, just as he did with every student in his classroom. Eric's imprint is indelible. To honor his legacy and his devotion to teaching and learning, I am very proud to announce that we have created the Eric Soloff Tuition Assistance Fund, which will directly support what Eric treasured the most: our students. Through this fund, we will continue to tell Eric's story, welcoming future generations of Trevor students who will benefit profoundly from the promise fulfilled in Eric's approach to teaching. Together we will ensure that Eric's legacy is not just remembered, but lived. We deeply miss Eric's humor, his music, his creativity, his calm, and his warmth. But his legacy lives on—in every student who carries a love of learning sparked in his classroom, in every teacher he mentored, in every parent he reassured, and in every colleague uplifted by his generosity of spirit. Eric's approach will forever guide us in the work we do and the lives we live. Daniel Feigin '84, P'26 Head of School "THERE ARE SOME TEACHERS WHO LEAVE A MARK ON YOUR HEART FOREVER. MR. SOLOFF WAS ONE OF THOSE RARE, UNFORGETTABLE PEOPLE. HE MADE LEARNING FEEL LIKE MAGIC." TREVOR DAY SCHOOL / 63 INSIDE TREVOR TREVOR TRANSLATES FEATURE AR TICLES ALUMNI

• Cover