Eric is a 1991 graduate of Kashmere Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration with a minor in Sociology from Baylor University; Master’s in Education from Prairie View A&M University.
While attending Kashmere, Eric participated in football, basketball, and track. He received district honors in football and track and also a State of Texas Track and Field Finalist in the 100 meter dash in 1990 and 1991. Eric was named to America’s Who’s Who in 1990 and 1991 and was a Houston Area “Scholar Athlete”- 1991
Eric started his teaching career in the Houston Independent School District where he was a Title I Lab Instructor and Computer Literacy. In addition he coached football, basketball, and track. He served as an Assistant Principal at Jordan High School, Huffman Middle School in Huffman ISD, and Atascocita High School in Humble ISD.
In 2012, Eric joined Channelview Independent School District as the principal of Anthony Aguirre Junior High School. Eric believes that leadership requires a well-rounded global perspective that will assist in aligning your mission, vision, and values while setting yearly measurable goals that translate to integrating elective and academic courses to support student growth and professional development for faculty and staff. Eric’s campus was designated as an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Site of Distinction and AVID National Demonstration Campus. By supporting electives, Eric received the designation of ‘Texas Music Educators Association Distinguished Administrator’. This designation honors upper-level school administrators who have been instrumental in preserving quality music educational programs.
Furthermore, Eric has taken what he has learned throughout his educational career and presented at the 20th Annual National Youth at Risk Conference held at Georgia State University and the Texas Association of Secondary Schools Principals Conference (TASSP) in 2017. Eric was honored by being name Channelview ISD’s 2018-2019 Secondary Principal of the Year and simultaneously the 2018-2019 TASSP Region IV Middle School Principal of the Year. Subsequently to being TASSP Region IV Middle School Principal of the Year Eric went forward as a candidate for Middle School Principal of the Year for the State of Texas which ended with him being named 1st runner up across 1,032 school districts.
Eric is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) and 55 Meter Dash Record Holder for Baylor University in 1991.
Eric has two sons –Darion Lathan and Jalon Lathan.