Andrea Rahn Peterson, ’96, named state’s top teacher of 2007
Andrea Rahn Peterson, ’96, inspires children to sing songs and adults to sing her praises.
“Truly extraordinary” were among the words Joel Thaut, superintendent of schools for Granite Falls, used when nominating Peterson for the 2007 Washington Teacher of the Year. Given by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the award was announced Oct. 10. Peterson is only the second music teacher to receive it.
It’s a landmark in a short but illustrious career. Peterson, 33, has been teaching for 10 years, most of those at Monte Cristo Elementary School in Granite Falls. During that time, she has distinguished herself both with her enthusiasm and her ambitious, interdisciplinary approach to music pedagogy.
But neither music nor teaching was on Peterson’s agenda when she first came to the UW. A graduate of Onalaska High School, she had been awarded a full scholarship to the UW for her outstanding math scores on the SAT. She began her undergraduate studies as a pre-med student, but after visiting her brother at school, where he was studying to become a music specialist, Peterson began to rethink her career plans. She found plenty of support within her family: her father, sisters-in-law and mother-in-law are teachers, her mother a librarian, and her two brothers both music specialists. “Music and teaching are in my blood,” she said in an interview for her school district’s newsletter.
Peterson’s unique approach to music education involves cross-curricular learning. One of her projects required students to perform a musical based on The Outsiders, the novel they were reading in their general classroom. The students chose Broadway songs that they felt best expressed the emotions and themes of the book. The lesson lasted eight weeks, involved thematic discussions of race and social justice, and explored why certain songs best fit the story. Finally the students staged their musical for the school in an evening performance.
Similar lessons have set such improbable subjects as Lewis and Clark’s explorations, Granite Falls history and the Civil War to music.
Peterson was the first elementary and middle childhood music teacher in Washington to gain certification with the National Board for Professional Teacher Standards. Through the organization she was given the opportunity to mentor new candidates from Washington and Idaho. Working with other talented educators, she has said, made her a better teacher.
In addition to bringing students together with music, Peterson hopes to involve the larger community. She recently wrote a musical based on War Letters, a collection of real correspondence from American soldiers in wartime. The show, set in three different wars and incorporating five songs, was performed for local community veterans and their families.
Peterson is one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year award, to be announced by President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony this spring.