Welcome to Eric Sweetwood's PTHS Psychology Page
Mr. Eric Sweetwood is the Social Science Department Chair at Pontiac Township High School. Mr. Sweetwood has been an educator for over 27 years. This website is to be used in conjunction with the Pontiac Township High School Psychology course Mr. Sweetwood teaches.
A Brief Biography
I have been the Psychology teacher at Pontiac Township High School for the last thirty of my thirty-one year career at PTHS. I also serve as the Social Science Department Chair. I attribute the origins of my teaching career to my past educational experiences. I went to grade school on Ottawa, Illinois’ East Side at Washington Elementary School, “graduating” from it in 1976 in sixth grade. I then advanced to Shepherd Junior High School, from which I graduated in 1978. I truly enjoyed my four year education at Ottawa Township High School from which I was a graduate in 1982. While there I enjoyed my Social Science and English courses while enjoying various extra-curricular activities. I was the Captain of the Chess Team, practiced Original Comedy on the Speech team and acted in a few plays. I learned at an early age that knowing psychology was more than helpful in my comedy career and acting parts in plays. My favorite course at OTHS was Psychology: Personality Theory taught to me by Art Barth, a fantastic instructor.
I next enrolled at Illinois Valley Community College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in English in 1984. I took some excellent psychology classes at IVCC from Professor Richard Publow, Professor Ken Pyschka and Professor Jerry Annel. I attended Eureka College for a semester, where I enjoyed courses in Social Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, and Sociology. I then switched to Illinois State University and earned a Bachelors of Science in English Education in 1987. In addition to the major in English, I minored in Psychology and Sociology. I truly enjoyed Learning and Educational Psychology taught by Professor Robert Crist. Upon graduating, I began my teaching career at Pleasant Plains Junior and Senior High School. I left Plains after the first year when Pontiac Township High School had an opening. After teaching English, Psychology, and Sociology for nine years, I earned a Masters in History in 1997 from Illinois State University. Additionally I finished 44 hours of coursework beyond the Masters Degree by 2001. I specialized in United States History and Popular Culture of the US and Europe. I was proudly promoted to the Department Chair of Social Sciences in 2006.
My current teaching schedule includes Psychology, Illinois Studies, and United States History.
Honors and Teaching Awards
Western Illinois University's Inspirational Teacher Award 1995, 1996 and 2001.
Who's Who In American Education 1995, 2001, 2005 and 2006.
"A Dark Knight in A Dark World-Batman as a Popular Culture Icon" published in Illinois State University History Journal (1997).
Published as a contributor to M. Paul Holsinger's book, War And Popular Culture (2001).
Recipient of AREA 14 Illinois Education Association Excellence in Education Award 2004.
Presidential's Who's Who Among Business and Professional Achievers, 2009-2010.
Top Educator of the Year Presidential's Who's Who Among Business and Professional Achievers, 2010.
Finalist Gilder-Lehrman and Illinois State Board of Education United States History Teacher of the Year for Illinois, 2010 and 2012.
email: esweetwood@pontiac90.org
Who's Who In American Education 1995, 2001, 2005 and 2006.
"A Dark Knight in A Dark World-Batman as a Popular Culture Icon" published in Illinois State University History Journal (1997).
Published as a contributor to M. Paul Holsinger's book, War And Popular Culture (2001).
Recipient of AREA 14 Illinois Education Association Excellence in Education Award 2004.
Presidential's Who's Who Among Business and Professional Achievers, 2009-2010.
Top Educator of the Year Presidential's Who's Who Among Business and Professional Achievers, 2010.
Finalist Gilder-Lehrman and Illinois State Board of Education United States History Teacher of the Year for Illinois, 2010 and 2012.
email: esweetwood@pontiac90.org
