Pizzo was raised in the Greenock section of Elizabeth Township by her parents, John and Elaine (Streets) Cray, both 1969 EF graduates. She has an older sister, Kelly (Cray) Makay and a younger brother, Patrick Cray.

Her soccer career started at the age of four and by age 10, she was playing travel soccer with Penns Forest Soccer Club. When Pizzo entered high school, she earned a starting position on the Lady Warriors varsity squad. In her four years on the Lady Warriors soccer pitch, she earned many accolades, including scoring 130 goals, which still stands as an EF record! She was a four-time All-Section, three-time All-WPIAL, 2-time All-State, and one-time High School All American choice.

While at EFHS, Pizzo wrote for the school newspaper, was inducted into the National Honor Society and participated in the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. She enjoyed volunteering in a life skills classroom in place of attending a study hall during the school day. This experience gave her a glimpse into her future as an educator. Also while in high school, Erin began refereeing in local soccer leagues and PA West tournaments. Pizzo continued her success on the soccer pitch as a Lady Knight at Gannon University. At the time of her graduation in 2001, she held the Lady Knights record in overall scoring (34 goals), overall assists (22 assists), and overall points (90 points). Currently she holds 4th place for overall goals, 3rd place for overall assists, and 3rd place for overall points. She also is now 3rd (1999) and 9th (1998) place for single season leader in goals and 9th (1999) and 13th (1998) place for single season leader in assists. She still holds the 3rd (1999) and 12th (1998) place in single season overall points. She was named to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference three of her four years and All-Region Division II regional team her sophomore year. In 2014, Pizzo had the distinction of being the first female soccer player to be inducted to the Gannon University Athletics Hall.

After her collegiate soccer career ended, Pizzo played two years with the Erie Illusion, a women's full-contact football team. She was awide receiver, punter, and placekicker.

Academically, Pizzo earned her B.S. in education with a concentration in elementary and special education. Over the summer of her senior year, Erin attended the University of Northampton in England as an exchange program between Gannon and Northampton. She was a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. Pizzo earned her Masters of Education in Reading as well as her English as a Second Language certificate from Gannon shortly after completing her undergraduate degree. She has also added Middle Level English certification at this time. Pizzo continued her education at Liberty University earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and University in Lynchburg, Virginia where she earned her Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) in Curriculum and Instruction.

In her 20 years of teaching in public education, Pizzo has taught kindergarten, 3rd grade, 4th/7th/8th grade ELA, 3rd and 4th grade self-contained learning support, middle school and high school emotional support, middle school learning support and elementary and middle school reading specialist. She is part of three percent of the nation’s teachers who have earned their National Board Certification.

Pizzo completed in 2020 her IMSELC (International Multisensory Structures Language Education Council) certification at the Compass Reading Center in Erie, PA (formerly 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Children’s Dyslexia Center). This certification required working with dyslexic students in a 100-hour practicum as well as completing quizzes, assessments, and book reports. It was during this time that she really engaged her love for teaching reading. She continues to work as a trainer for the Compass Reading Center.

While teaching, Pizzo coached junior varsity and varsity girls soccer and was the ski club advisor for two years. She held coaching positions until she took a maternity leave. In 2011, she and her husband, Steve, welcomed their twins, Gabriella Elaine and Samuel Benedetto. Pizzo stayed home with her twins for the first year, working in the evenings as a tutor and as an adjunct teacher for Mercyhurst University.

In 2013, Pizzo purchased her tutoring company, Tutoring to Go, LLC. As the owner and administrator of Tutoring to Go, she has screened hundreds of students for reading difficulties. Her specialty is working with students with dyslexia, but the company as a whole has certified teachers who tutor in all subjects from K-12. Additionally, she has served as the Keystone State Literacy Association Northwest PA president.

Pizzo is currently the building reading specialist at Rice Avenue Middle School in Girard, PA. She is also the author of a spelling curriculum, Language Lessons and other teaching materials.

Attending the soccer, basketball, softball, and tennis events that her children play brings her much joy. Pizzo also enjoys gardening and reading, and spending time with family and friends. She is thankful to her parents and husband for supporting her endeavors in athletics and academics. She also wants to recognize the camaraderie and dedication of her teammates, coaches and teachers for none of this would have been possible without them.