Erin Latimer is an Idyllwild native and a Creative Writing alumna of the Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) class of 2002. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mills College, with an emphasis in Creative Writing and a minor in Book Arts, and a master’s degree in literature from the prestigious Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English. A lifelong learner with broad interest and knowledge across many subject areas, Erin was inducted into the Mills College Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society because she took classes in the widest variety of subject areas of any of her graduating classmates. She embodies the combination of Global Citizen Artist and Critical-Thinking Academic that IAA aims to produce, and she owes much of her success to the education she received here.

Prior to her time in education, Erin worked as a Studio Assistant for world-renowned Book Artist Julie Chen of Flying Fish Press. Julie supported Erin in the creation of her own small press, Washtub Press, as well as her first original Artist’s Book edition, which Erin had the privilege to exhibit alongside the artwork of fellow IAA alumni Shepard Fairey ‘88 and Nate Lowman ‘97 in the 2012 Idyllwild Arts Alumni Show. Erin has also published a few poems here and there in small anthologies and literary magazines such as UC San Diego’s Pacific Review. While she maintains some private creative practices in visual arts, writing, and mediocre ukulele-playing, Erin’s passion lies in teaching others.

With over 16 years of experience as an educator, Erin has most recently served as a full-time faculty member in and Chair of the Humanities Department at IAA, overseeing English, History, English Language Learning (ELL), and World Languages faculty and programs. She has designed and taught classes in Mythology, Contemporary Poetry, Shakespeare, Classics of Western Literature, American Literature since 1945, Detective and Crime Fiction, Critical Media Studies, Creative Writing, as well as combined US History and American Literature across grades 8-12. Additionally, she has taught Book Arts and Creative Writing workshops to students of all ages via guest master classes and the Idyllwild Elementary School SMARTS program. Over her time at IAA, Erin has also served as a Dorm Parent, Dorm Head, Director of the Arts Enterprise Laboratory (AEL), faculty advisor for several clubs, including the National Honor Society (NHS), and College Counselor for InterArts, Dance, Film, and Fashion students. She also worked for several years as an assistant registrar and full-time lead teacher at a K-12 independent school in Los Angeles. This wide range of experience provides Erin with a unique and nuanced perspective on school operations, as well as a thorough understanding of best practices in academic pedagogy and holistic approaches to educating young people. 

Erin thrives on challenging students and colleagues to transcend their own expectations by developing their creativity through collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and intellectual pursuits. Her students would probably describe her as enthusiastic, compassionate, nerdy, not afraid to be silly, and always open to new ideas, ways of learning, and ways to support students. She strives to approach challenges and joys alike with good humor and to help everyone feel a sense of safety, belonging, and empowerment in their learning process and in the IAA community. She believes in maintaining a practical, big-picture view, while also modeling humility and productive failure, lifting people up, and bridging perspectives toward more constructive and meaningful outcomes for all. A voracious reader, amateur gardener, and beginning student of Thai language, Erin also finds joy in exploring the world, spending time with her family and friends, and embracing the lifelong process of learning to be a decent, fulfilled human. She is honored to serve the IAA community, the creative spirit, and the pursuit of knowledge in any way she can.