Peg Gordon named teacher of the year

by Angie Asam, Staff Writer

Peg Gordon was born and raised in Rogers City; she attended St. Ignatius Catholic School before attending Rogers City High School. After graduation she attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, spent two years at Central Michigan University studying education and has done graduate work with Northern Michigan University and Marygrove.

Gordon started her teaching career at St. Ignatius where she spent 13 years and has spent the last 21 years teaching at the public school. This year Gordon teaches eighth grade science and high school biology and anatomy/physiology. She is certified to teach K-12 and has spent most of her career teaching science but has taught some math and health courses as well.

She is the proud mother of three Rogers City High School graduates, Katie who now resides in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband Paul and three children; John, a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army; and Jacqui, who serves in the United States Air Force. Her husband, Keith serves as the 89th District Court magistrate in Presque Isle County.

?It is very humbling to be chosen as the teacher of the year. I have been nominated before but this is the first time I have been chosen. There are so many other teachers who need to be standing here alongside me. We have a super, super staff and support staff here. We have excellent paraprofessionals and above all fantastic students who are very respectful. The administration and staff throughout the years have been great,? said Gordon.

Before moving to the high school/middle school, Gordon spent time teaching at the sixth-grade level in the Grambau Center. Although she is certified to teach at all levels, even she will admit the thought of teaching kindergarten is one that makes her wonder. Middle School and High School Principal and Superintendent Jamie Huber surprised Peg with the honor last week with a balloon and flowers in front of her students during a cla

ss and she had tears in her eyes. Gordon was not able to attend the school board meeting that evening but Huber passed on words about her.

?She is certainly a deserving candidate. I was happy to recognize her in that way. She was nominated by two of her colleagues and I would like to read some of their comments,? said Huber. ?Peg?s greatest attribute is her sincere belief in and dedication to her students and their education. She inspires them to attempt tasks they never dreamed possible and to achieve at their own personal level. She?s an inspirational woman who leads by example,? wrote one colleague.

Another wrote, ?I am always in awe of Peg?s ability to find a way to reach the spectrum of learning abilities within her classroom. Her students adore her and are eager to learn.? Huber followed up by saying that one of the things discussed during the selection process was Gordon?s ability and willingness to move around to help the school. Gordon can now choose to file the necessary paperwork to be considered for Michigan Teacher of the Year if she so wishes.