When she’s not functioning as a program coordinator for the Special Education department at Lyons Township High School, 35-year-old Erica Granada is serving on the board for the Chicago English Bulldog Rescue organization, raising two teenage daughters and renovating her home.

With her many different hats, Erica was recently nominated for the My Suburban Life, Best Under 40 by her husband, Gerry. He said his wife and other teachers are the unsung heroes.

“[Teachers] are behind the scenes,” Gerry Granada said. “And I thought it’d be great if she was recognized for the things she’s doing because she does all that and then she does the bulldog thing and all the [house design].”

Gerry Granada explained that even with such a demanding job, Erica still comes home with energy to work at the house, raise their daughters and participate on the board with the bulldog rescue organization.

Being nominated came as a strange event, according to Erica Granada.

“I don’t see what I do as any different as anybody else,” Erica said. “All you can do is yourself ... For me, I’m just doing me. I guess, different strokes for different folks.”

Erica, who began her career as a high school Spanish teacher, said what she loves most about her job at LT is that no two days are alike.

“It’s just different and that’s what I love about it,” she said. “I love working with families and I love working with the students.”

On top of her hours teaching at school, Erica spends a lot of time rehabilitating her Countryside home. Recently, she’s built a hen house in her yard, designed and renovated her kitchen, created a Japanese garden in the backyard and all the home’s landscaping.

“I’m just very blessed to have a lot of different passions and a lot of things that I find fulfilling,” Erica said. “So for me, it’s not about doing this and that, it’s the things I enjoy doing.”

When she’s not redesigning her home or in the classroom, Erica is working with the Chicago English Bulldog Rescue organization. Along with raising their own bulldog, the Granadas also are fostering a bulldog through the group.

“It’s super rewarding,” she said. “You get back 10,000 times of what you give.”

Whether it’s working with the bulldogs, students or renovating her house, Erica said her love for what she does is what keeps her going.

“At the end of the day, it’s only work if you’d rather be doing something else,” Erica said.