She has a bachelor's degree from Bucknell University in English and education, a master's degree in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University, and a PhD from Pennsylvania State University in Educational Leadership. Erin taught middle school reading and served as grant writer for a rural district in Pennsylvania. She currently serves as co-editor for the Pennsylvania Educational Leadership journal. Her research interests include rural school-community relations and local rural school politics. Her current research explores the influence of the natural gas industry on rural schools and youth.