About Erika

Erika Hope is one of the newest members of the iLead staff, joining us as an intern in her final semester of earning her special education teaching credential for Mild/Moderate students at California State University, Fullerton. She holds a bachelors degree in advertising, PR, and strategic communications from Penn State, and worked as a corporate communications specialist for more than 25 years, most of those with Nutrilite/Amway, responsible for all communications in California, Washington State, Mexico and Brazil, before deciding to follow her heart to become a teacher in special education. She was a resident substitute at Marina High School in Huntington Beach for one year, with special placement in special education classes. She has also coached girls high school basketball, and worked at a local Boys & Girls Club as a fundraiser/event planner. Her passion and commitment is to helping underserved children feel valued and cared for.

Erika lives in Garden Grove, California with her two adult children, a shih tzu puppy named Rocky, and Kiwi — a wild cat that decided to adopt her family as its own.