Ermold becomes a UPIKE Bear, teaches English
0David K. Ermold is an assistant English professor for the University. He’s from Philadelphia, and moved to Pikeville in 1999 to pursue a college education.
“I started at SouthEast Community and Technical College, earning my bachelor at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and I finished at Morehead State University with a master of arts in communication and a master of arts in English,” Ermold said.
Ermold is not married but is in a long-term relationship, and he has no children. His hobbies consist of reading early American literature and modern American poetry, playing classic video games, hiking and watching ice hockey. But, Ermold has always wanted to teach. He chose to pursue the education needed to be a professor at a college level.
“I knew from a very early age that it was something I wanted to do. In fact, I remember when I was in grade school using a red pen to grade work from my friends. I’ve always known that teaching was not a career that would pay significantly well financially. I knew it would be my way of contributing to society. If I couldn’t have a positive impact on people’s lives through charity, then I felt I could do so through my career. I enjoy the discussions with students in the classroom, and there is no greater feeling than seeing someone light up when they finally understand a particularly difficult issue. Teaching is one of the best ways to debate social issues and guide others into having a more compassionate and understanding view toward life,” Ermold said, “As I teach writing and speech, we tend to have more serious discussions over social and economic issues. I enjoy the back and forth debate in class, and I like for students to be engaged in the material. I have found students in college to be more engaged than those in middle school and high schools. I was a substitute for elementary, middle and high school for two years. I found elementary and high school to be more appealing than middle school. It really does take a special mind set to work with students in their middle years.”
Ermold likes his experience living in Pikeville so far.
Ermolds said, “As I grew up in the suburbs of a major metropolitan city, I can truly say that I enjoy the country life that Pikeville offers. In a way, Pikeville is the best of both worlds. It is large enough that it has the goods and services one might expect from a small city, but it also has a private country feel as well. There are plenty of things to do in Pikeville and the surrounding areas if one chooses to search them out. I also enjoy the festivals that the town holds on a regular basis. In addition, Pikeville is only an hour or two from a major city in just about any direction.”
Ermold shared his goal in life which is to “enjoy life the best I can. Life is a gift, and I plan on treating it as such.”