Troy High mourns teacher

By STEVE KADEL Western News Reporter

A popular young Troy High School teacher was remembered Monday for his inquisitive mind and a heart dedicated to helping children excel.

It was a day of mourning for students and staff members as they tried to make sense of Eric Groff's death. He died Friday in a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 2 west of Libby.

"He cared for his kids," said English teacher David Henderson, who hired Groff in 2003 while serving as principal. "He was really committed to teaching kids not just to think but how to think - to have a deeper appreciation of themselves."

Groff, 26, an English teacher, had a bachelor's degree in American literature from Stanford University and a master's degree in the same field from San Diego State University.

Henderson was impressed when he received an application letter from Groff. But he also was puzzled why the Californian was interested in moving to rural Montana.

Groff had visited Montana and knew the state is a haven for fly-fishing, one of his passions. However, there was a more intriguing reason.

"He said he came from a privileged background, and he didn't want to teach in a school where students are privileged and have a feeling of entitlement," Henderson said. "When I heard that, I knew we had to talk more."

He said hiring Groff might have been the best thing he did during his tenure as principal.

"He had such an impact in a short time," said Henderson, whose assignments include teaching writing to juniors.

Groff taught sophomores, so Henderson saw the results of his colleague's efforts.

"They are coming to me with skills that I'm

sure he taught them," Henderson said. "What a powerful testimonial."

The classroom was one of several settings where Groff helped shape children. He was assistant football coach, frequently had students over to his house, and went hunting and fishing with them.

"The kids would say, 'I loved the fact that he believed in me,'" Henderson said. "They are crushed by this. Even some who hate English and don't like to read anything are devastated."

It was evidence of Groff's special skills, Henderson said, that he was so well liked by a range of students from top scholars to those for whom school has little interest.

Henderson believes that is because Groff didn't take himself too seriously. If he experimented with a particular lesson and it fell flat, he could admit it to his students and laugh it off, then try a new approach, Henderson said.

School went on much as scheduled Monday, although administrators hired additional substitute teachers in case some staff members found they couldn't carry on. Or if they were called upon to console children away from the classroom.

In the main office, Groff's name was still listed on the class schedule board Monday.

Outside in the building's parking lot, a few cars had his name and a heart or two painted on the back window. Meanwhile, a sign in front of the school still proclaims, "Cpl. Raleigh Smith - Always Faithful."

School officials said Groff's death coming only two months after the death of 2003 Troy High graduate Smith is almost too much to bear.

The deep emotions for Groff are evident at the highway crash site, where students erected a memorial with balloons and a poster reading, "We Miss You Groff." A dozen yellow roses, a deer antler and a Trojan football cap were left there.

Teacher and head football coach Gabe Evins said Groff was his best friend at the school.

"This is the toughest thing I've ever had to go through," Evins said. "I don't think I ever told him how much he meant to me and the school."

He said Groff arrived with sort of a tough-nosed attitude, but changed over the next year and a half.

"He was changing in how he handled the kids' problems," Evins said. "He became more caring for their needs. He was becoming a better teacher every day."

Evins chuckled and recalled that he and his assistant coach occasionally argued.

"We'd butt heads but we respected each other enough that it didn't affect our relationship," he said. "He was a great person, very kind hearted, but when you got him on the sidelines he was so fired up."

Former principal Henderson, despite calling Groff "brilliant," said intellect wasn't necessarily the educator's best attribute.

"For a kid of 26, his depth of heart was amazing," Henderson said.