Meet Mr. Ramos: St. Ann School's New Middle School History Teacher

We’re excited to welcome Mr. Erik Ramos to the St. Ann School community as part of our dedicated middle school teaching team! Mr. Ramos brings a fresh perspective, an enthusiasm for history, and a deep appreciation for the role of faith in education. As he begins his first year in the classroom, he shared about his journey, his teaching philosophy, and what he hopes to bring to our students this year.

A Familiar Feeling of Faith and Community

For Mr. Ramos, joining St. Ann’s felt like coming home.

“I spent my childhood attending a religious school,” he shared, “and I quickly noticed a lot of encouraging familiarity during my first days here.” That familiarity, he says, came from the strong sense of community: “The staff is easy to work with, deeply invested in the students, and they made me feel at home very quickly.”

Mr. Ramos believes this supportive environment is a gift—not something to take for granted. “If students are experiencing that same kind of community, that’s a powerful thing,” he said. “I wasn’t going to miss the chance to be part of it.”

He also reflects on how faith shaped his own learning: “When I think back to my own grade school experience, I’m reminded of how valuable it was to learn as much about the Bible as I did about any other academic subject. I don’t think students can truly understand the world through social studies or literature without also understanding the Bible deeply. I’m glad to work in a school where that’s a central part of what we teach.”

A Journey Through History—And To the Classroom

Mr. Ramos was born in Austin, Texas, after his parents met there—but he spent most of his childhood in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area. He later moved to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a double major in political science and history. “I always enjoyed studying those subjects—even before college,” he said.

After graduating, he enrolled in UW’s Masters in Education program and completed student teaching around Madison before earning his social studies teaching license (with a certification in language arts as well). When the opportunity at St. Ann’s came along, it just felt right. “It sounded like a good place,” he said simply—and we’re so glad he felt that way.

Teaching Middle School with Meaning and Curiosity

Mr. Ramos has a soft spot for middle schoolers—because that’s when his own love for history really began. “Middle school was the time I first started finding social studies really interesting,” he recalled. “I was just beginning to learn about all these fascinating people from the past and realizing how big and diverse the world is.”

In his classroom, he strives to give students that same sense of discovery. “I try to connect what students already know with stories and events from around the world—similar events, similar ideas, just in different places or times. I want to help them build a broader knowledge of the world, and hopefully have fun with all the interesting people and places we explore along the way.”

A Classroom Built on Engagement and Expression

Though this is his first official year of teaching, Mr. Ramos is already thinking about how to keep his classroom dynamic and creative:

“I want students to consistently engage with the material, ask questions, and share their own ideas.”

“It’s really important that students feel comfortable contributing. I want them to see that they’re not just observers in class—they’re active contributors, helping build each other’s knowledge.”

“I’m looking forward to trying out new ideas. When students are working on projects, I want them to enjoy the creative process and present something meaningful to the class.”

His goal is to find ways to tap into students' strengths and interests so they’re not only learning about history—they’re building skills that will serve them in all areas of life.

Looking Ahead with Openness and Excitement

Mr. Ramos is eager to try out a variety of activities throughout the year, giving each student a chance to shine. “I haven’t taught these courses or students before, so I’m hoping to quickly figure out when and how everybody learns best, and then really lean into that.”

Communication is a big priority, too. “Since this is my first year at St. Ann’s, I’ll be sending out regular updates about our classes,” he said. “I’m always open to questions or feedback from families.”

A Few Fun Facts

To help you get to know him a little better, we asked Mr. Ramos a few light-hearted questions…

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
“Abraham Lincoln—he’s one of the most important and fascinating figures in history, and I think he’d be an incredibly thoughtful conversation partner.”

Favorite historical era?
“The 1800s. They’re recent enough to feel connected to our world today, but far enough back that there are still so many surprising details to uncover.”

Most recent adventure?
“I traveled to—or through—14 different states just this year!”

Mr. Ramos is clearly bringing a thoughtful, student-focused approach to his first year at St. Ann School, and we’re excited to see the impact he’ll have on our middle school students. Please join us in giving him a warm St. Ann’s welcome!