The Teacher
In 1986, Eric Smith would receive some unexpected news that would change his life forever. The following year, he would lose his job and be chased out of the South Shore community he worked and lived in.
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His story would make headlines for years to come and soon, this quiet fifth grade school teacher would become the public face for HIV/AIDS activism in Nova Scotia.
In this audio documentary, Connor Sampson returns to the 80s and 90s through interviews with Eric and other important people in his story. We hear about the events which tore Eric from his quiet Clark's Harbour classroom and pushed him to the front of a social movement.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to Sandi Haughey and Joan Cormier for your hospitality and candour. Getting a chance to sit down face-to-face with both of you was a sincere joy. I hope our paths cross again.
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The greatest thanks is owed to Eric Smith, not only for his willingness, patience, and enthusiasm for this project, but also for his decades of work and advocacy. You turned an unimaginable situation into an opportunity to voice the concern and outrage of a generation at a time when few others could.
In the end, you helped to secure a future for Queer and chronically sick Nova Scotians where they are protected from the kind of discrimination that forced you from your job. For this and so much more, thank you.
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