A one-of-a-kind Teacher of the Year

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Competition for the Missouri Teacher of the Year award is rigorous. It requires an extensive written application, reference letters and a video. Any full time K-12 teacher working in Missouri public schools may be nominated. The State Education Board conducts the selection process according to the guidelines established by the National Teacher of the Year Program.

And then there was Nancy Peterson. Don’t expect to see her if you walked into her classroom. She would be hiding behind her desk. She would then pop up wearing Mickey Mouse ears. On each ear would be the letter “H” and on her face would be the letter “O.” That’s because she would be teaching a class on H2O (water). The next class she would be in the corner standing on her head. Next week she would have turtle races.

Peterson says “I work to make science fun for the students.” We think she had fun too. Her students were her biggest fans. Many former students remained in touch with their mad scientist teacher.

In her 17th year in teaching, Nancy Peterson was selected as the Missouri Teacher of the Year for 1999-2000. She stated that “I don’t think I’m an oddity, I’m the norm.” Whatever whacky world she thought she lived in, the State Education Board agreed with her and chose her for this honor.

Peterson was presented with the award in Washington D.C at the National Teacher of the Year convention. While there, she had the opportunity to go to the White House and meet the President. Her friends gave her 50/50 odds that she would stand on her head in the Oval Office wearing Micky Mouse ears. She did Poplar Bluff proud and just shook the Presidents hand.

Nancy Peterson’s story is told in the Abington Haworth School House Room of the Poplar Bluff Museum. The Museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge Sunday 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.