Marco Island Academy’s beloved art teacher, Robert Eder, recently announced his upcoming retirement following the 2024 school year. Students and teachers felt the crushing weight of this news in their hearts. In Mr. Eder’s 35th year of teaching, he currently teaches drawing and photography classes to all grade levels at MIA. In an interview, Mr. Eder shares what led him to take on his career as a teacher along with a bit about the unique story of his own high school experience.

Mr. Eder’s teaching career began at a time when he previously had no intent on teaching in the long term. However, three years quickly turned into five, eventually spending 16 years in his first teaching position.