History buff makes even federalism fun
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Rutland High School advanced placement U.S. history and anthropology teacher John Peterson has a laugh with his students earlier this week. CRISTINA KUMKA / RUTLAND HERALD |
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By Cristina Kumka STAFF WRITER - Published: October 31, 2009
John Peterson doesn't rule with an iron fist – he works with cartoons, laughter and respect instead.
On Monday, the 23-year Rutland teacher, former living-history interpreter and Civil War re-enactment character, drew a spectrum of the country's founding fathers on the white board in classroom Red 13.
Peterson will be recognized for bringing history alive for students, parents and teachers alike at a state conference of educators next month.
The Vermont Humanities Council chose Peterson to receive the 2009 Victor Swenson Humanities Educator Award after receiving a nomination and endless accolades from a former student who is now a history teacher alongside him, Jennie Gartner.
With nothing more than a black marker in hand, his infectious enthusiasm and a slightly off-center bow tie, Peterson wrote "Hamilton" and above it the words, "Federalist - Conservative."
On the other end of the board he wrote "Jefferson" and "Radical - Republican."
It was a simple chart with simple connections but as he wrote Peterson told a story - the story of how the United States' political factions first developed and who made it happen.
Rather than merely using names and handing out memos, Peterson used his memory to paint a vivid picture of what the men looked like and why they bonded or fought each others' ideals.
Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were friends because they were soldiers together, he told the class.
John Adams: Well, he was an envious vice president and not one of the Virginia elite like the men around him, depicted through a taped episode of the HBO miniseries "John Adams."
His quiz that day was a cartoon called "A Peep inside the Anti-Federalist Club," a humorous take on very real characters.
Each drawing was a man or an idea the class just studied – a general toper was the pot-bellied drinker in the middle and Jefferson was the figure standing on the table with a gavel in his hand, asking the others to unify.
It was nearly as good as Peterson acting out the men himself - something he is known to break into time and again.
Minutes later, as the class-ending bell was about to ring for the day, a formerly unsure student said, "Mr. Peterson, that graph helped a lot."
But would students remember what Peterson knew by heart for their 80-question exam in May?
Averie Baird did.
"I came into university with one-year's worth of credits completed due to my AP classes in high school," Baird wrote in an e-mail from Canada on Monday.
Baird went from Rutland High graduate to anthropology major at McGill University, inspired by Peterson but quick to learn that he taught her major in high school better than any college professor she could have had.
"He is an extraordinarily intelligent and creative person — perhaps that is what made him such a great teacher for me," Baird wrote.
"I can't say that I pursue my travels, research, and extracurricular (activities) to impress Mr. Peterson, but without a doubt, I can say that every accomplishment I make, I think to myself, 'Oohh! I can't wait to tell Mr. Peterson!'"
Baird is one example of how a "normal" day in the advanced placement U.S. history and anthropology class at Rutland High School is anything but with Peterson at the helm.
"Whether he is crafting period costumes with his students, taking them to the Northeast Atlatl Competition or leading a schoolwide celebration of Darwin's 200th birthday, John does everything with enthusiasm, expertise and good humor," Gartner wrote the Humanities Council.
"No one is sure where his energy and passion come from, but if it were possible to bottle and distribute it, every student in the United States could have a world-class education that they would also enjoy," the former student said.
Selection committee chairwoman and former recipient Frankie Dunleavy said, "Mr. Peterson has inspired a love of learning in his students that endures well beyond years in high school. The Swenson Award is really for someone who has inspired a love of learning and that's clearly what Mr. Peterson exemplifies."
For Peterson's current students, the proof is in the props he uses and the potential he instills in his students to succeed in school and after it.
"You learn 'cause you like it," said junior Grace Grinold.
"It's funny."
Vermont Humanities Council Chairwoman Sylvia Robison will present the award to Peterson at the council's fall conference, "Food For Thought," on Nov. 14 at the Essex in Burlington. The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. Peterson will be presented a $1,000 check.
For more information about the award or the event, call the VHC at 262-2626 or go to www.vermonthumanities.org.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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