close

Local author hopes book will inspire Uniontown students

By Natalie Bruzda nbruzda@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read
1 / 2

Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard

Emile Etheridge of Uniontown holds a book he created for students titled “Can Emile?” which is an autobiography of his life.

2 / 2

Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard

Emile Etheridge, a former teacher for the Uniontown Area School District, talks about his book, “Can Emile?”, which is being used at Lafayette Middle School in the accelerated reading program. Etheridge, who was placed in special education classes while in high school, and went on to graduate from college with a scholarship, believes his journey will be inspirational for local children.

Local author and former educator Emile Etheridge is hoping the life lessons in his book “Can Emile?” will impact the lives of young students in Fayette County.

His autobiography details several of his life events, including the loss of his mother, and the struggle to get off of welfare.

“Can Emile?” is now available for students at Lafayette Middle School to read as part of the school’s accelerated reading (AR) program.

“He came from this area, this end of town specifically, so he knows the hardships and the difficulties of our students,” said Joe Galie, middle school principal. “Through his life he’s offered no excuses and rose above his shortcomings. I think the kids need to know that if he can do it, they can do it.”

Etheridge grew up in Uniontown, and attended school in the Uniontown Area School District.

While he did not know it at the time, he said he was labeled “mentally retarded” while in high school.

It was not until he began research for his book that he learned this about himself.

Despite the label he was given, Etheridge graduated from college and went on to teach health/physical education, first in Wisconsin, and then in Uniontown. He spent more than 20 years teaching and coaching in the Uniontown Area School District, and retired about four years ago.

“He is a role model,” said Kim Bizik, eighth grade language arts teacher.

Bizik said the book is being used as an AR test for sixth grade students.

“We want the kids to get a glimpse of inspiration as they begin their middle school years so they can head down the right path like he (Etheridge) did,” Galie said.

“He’s a fantastic human being. He’s had a lot of things thrown at him that would have broken a lesser man.”

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today