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Monte Cristo Elementary educator is Washington’s 2007 Teacher of the Year
SEATTLE – October 10, 2006 - Andrea Peterson, a National Board Certified elementary music specialist from the Granite Falls School District, has been named Washington’s Teacher of the Year for 2007.
She, along with the other seven finalists, heard the news directly from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson this morning at a press conference. The identity of Washington’s latest Teacher of the Year was kept secret until today’s announcement.
Before announcing Peterson’s selection, Bergeson introduced the finalists – all of whom are regional teachers of the year. She spoke of the accomplishments that have contributed to each being an outstanding candidate for the statewide honor.
The regional teachers of the year who were considered: Mike Anderson, Endicott School District, EDS 101; Irene Longmire, Wahluke School District, ESD 105; Karen Strain, White Salmon School District, ESD 112; Kristy Vetter, Centralia School District, ESD 113; Jeni Zapatka, Central Kitsap School District, ESD 114; Dianne Campbell, White River School District, ESD 121; and Mona Asker, Moses Lake School District, ESD 171.
Peterson has taught music in Granite Falls for nearly 10 years, with eight of those at Monte Cristo Elementary. She impressed Bergeson with her cross-curricular approach to education. Even though she is a music specialist, Peterson incorporates other subjects into her classroom to help students learn about music in a larger context.
Last year, students in grades four, five and six wrote and performed a musical based on a book they were reading in their general classroom. Students chose Broadway songs they felt exemplified the themes of their play and from the book. This eight-week lesson included discussions of themes, the use of literary device, why certain music was most appropriate for the story and it culminated in an evening performance.
Bergeson noted that Peterson has strengthened and expanded the music education programs throughout the district, too. Peterson collaborated with her principal to create a five-year plan to improve music learning in grades K through 12 that has now succeeded beyond its original goals. She has also co-taught with another music teacher to take advantage of each others strengths for the benefit of the students.
Peterson has demonstrated leadership in other ways. As the first National Board Certified Teacher in early and middle childhood music in the state, she mentored new music candidates for Washington and Idaho. She has recruited new candidates for the process, and in 2005, became a facilitator for the University of Washington’s National Board Certification program.
Bergeson read aloud an excerpt from a nomination letter written by Granite Falls Superintendent Joel Thaut: "If you watch Andrea teach, or watch her direct students during a performance, you are truly seeing something extraordinary. You know Andrea loves what she does, and you see the total enjoyment from students as they learn and perform."
Peterson will now be considered for the national Teacher of the Year program, which is led by the Council of Chief State School Officers. President Bush will announce the national Teacher of the Year in a special ceremony at the White House in spring 2007.
In Washington, the state winner is selected from the regional teachers of the year chosen by each of the nine Educational Service Districts. This year, one of the ESDs did not forward a regional winner.
Peterson will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession for the next year. As Washington’s Teacher of the Year, she will travel across the state for speaking engagements and opportunities to promote the teaching profession.
The Teacher of the Year program is made possible through the support of many organizations, including long-time supporter the Beresford Company.
Representatives from the following organizations helped select the 2007 Teacher of the Year: the Association of Washington School Principals; Washington Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; Washington Education Association; Washington School Public Relations Association; Washington State School Directors’ Association; Washington Association of School Administrators; State Board of Education; and a former state teacher of the year.
Photos of each of this year’s finalists are posted on the OSPI education awards page:
http://www.k12.wa.us/EducationAwards/default.aspx.
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