About Ericka

Hello! My name is Ericka Thessen, and I am currently serving on the Eugene School District 4J Board, position #2. I am running for election in the May 20, 2025, election to continue serving the students, staff, families, and community in our district.

I'd love to take a few minutes and tell you a little about me. I have been an acute care physical therapist for 27 years, most of that time working in our region's largest trauma hospital. I am a single working mom to three amazing humans. My oldest two kids are former 4J students, and my youngest is currently a student in the district. I started volunteering in classrooms when the kids were in elementary school and while there, I grew my passion for and utmost belief in the value of public education. I have served on the site councils at my children's elementary, middle and high schools. I was appointed to the Eugene School District 4J Budget Committee in 2021 and served until my appointment to this open Board seat in October 2023.

I have been an active volunteer in our community for many years. I was a member of the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon Lane County Leadership and Advocacy Team (LAT) wher I fought on a local and state level for reproductive rights, working families, racial justice issues and LGBTQ2IA+ rights. I served as Board President for The 86 Hunger Foundation, a low- to no-barrier plant-based not-for-profit working to end hunger and food waste in Eugene and Springfield. I also served on the board of Whole Earth Nature School and Wiggly Tails Dog Rescue, two nonprofit organizations doing good things in our community.

I am passionate about fighting for equal access to education and improved services for special education students in the district. I want to see improved supports and services for unhoused students as well as students who are facing housing and food insecurity. I will fight to improve access to mental health services and healthcare for our students, families, and staff in the district. I truly believe in the importance of school-based health centers and want to work towards having one open in every region again. I want to improve graduation rates and literacy for all students, not just so that we can meet bureaucratic benchmarks, but because it is the foundation of economic justice, racial justice, disability justice and a brighter future for our community.

In my free time, I love volunteering in dog rescue. My kids and I have fostered over 80 dogs the past several years, helping them find loving forever homes. Recently, we have primarily been fostering hospice dogs because we believe that every living being deserves a compassionate and loving end of life. My kids and I love reading books (we are enthusiastic Eugene Public Library supporters) and listening to music. I am an avid hiker, and I am proud to say that at the age of 50 I climbed South Sister for the first time this past summer. I'm looking forward to this coming summer and many more hikes to come. One of my true loves is the great state of Oregon and all the stunning outdoor spaces she offers. Like the motto for state of Oregon says, "she flies with her own wings".

I would love your support over the next three months in my campaign so I can continue to serve my community and the students, staff and families in the Eugene School District 4J.