PHOTO CREDIT: IMAGINIMA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
TEACHERS OF THE
YEAR T
he most important superheroes
don’t wear capes; they stand in
front of a whiteboard teaching our
children topics, from the ABCs to
quadratic equations. Teachers empower
our children and play a meaningful role in
their lives.

Washington FAMILY is honoring DMV
area teachers with our second annual
Teachers of the Year issue! We asked our
readers to nominate an extraordinary
10 September 2018
washingtonFAMILY.com and infl uential local teacher to be
recognized for this honor. After a stream of
nominations, we selected six remarkable
teachers to be featured in this issue.

With an array of backgrounds and
specialties, each of our Teachers of the Year
winners embody the passion, devotion and
selfl essness that make for a great educator.

We are excited to share their stories with
you. Meet our Teachers of the Year!



CHRISTOPHER PETER
MIDDLE SCHOOL
TEACHER AT
RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY IN FRONT
ROYAL, VA
“Teachers are
important as
role models.

They help
to inspire
learning, instill
good values
and build self-
conf idence.”
NOMINATED BY:
CELESTE BROOKS
“Mr. Peter is not your
typical history teacher.

When the school
opened an Innovation
Lab this past fall, he
jumped in with his
students. PHOTO CREDIT: IMAGINIMA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
What originally got you
interested in teaching?
I had a lot of great teachers
that peaked my interest in
the profession. My parents
also helped guide me. My
mother spent countless
hours patiently doing
homework with me, and
my father constantly read,
watched and discussed
history with me.

Why do you think
teachers are important?
Teachers are important
as role models. They help
to inspire learning, instill
good values and build self
confi dence. Teachers help
to develop leadership skills,
and assist in the overall
character development
and education of young
people. What is the single best
piece of advice you can
give parents of middle
schoolers? Be involved daily.

What’s your funniest
teaching moment?
Splitting the back of my
pants open. When I knelt
down to do some fi ling
during my fourth period, I
thought I heard a slight rip.

Fortunately for me, it was
my planning period. So I
was able to rush home and
change pants, avoiding
TEACHERS OF THE
YEAR an embarrassing moment
in front of the students.

Turns out, I ripped my
pants on the way to school
that morning. The tear
I heard during fourth
period was just the last
thread breaking loose. My
pants had been split all
morning long. Luckily, my
underwear happened to
be the color of my slacks
that day.

Do you have any tried
and trusted ideas or
activities for motivating
students? Building positive
relationships is key. I do
this through positive
interactions in the halls,
on the athletic fi elds and
in the cafeteria. I give a lot
of positive feedback. I tell
students constantly when
things are going well, and
I question the “how’s” and
“why’s” when things are off
track. How can parents and
teachers work together
to empower and engage
children? Communication is
key. Parents should let
teachers know how they
have managed successful
teaching moments with
their children. Teachers
must keep parents in
the loop when things are
going great and/or poorly.

What is the best thing
about teaching in your
area/school district?
I love the friendly and
helpful environment
at Randolph-Macon
Academy. The
administration and
teachers have been
wonderful to work
with. I am thankful
for all the advice and
help I’ve received over
the years in building
meaningful lesson plans,
brainstorming fun ways
to incorporate technology
and building hands-on
projects that resonate with
the students.

“They used the various
tools and technology
available to make
history come alive in a
way that his students
will remember forever.

For example, they
built chariots (no Lego
wheels allowed) and
held races in the
‘Hippodrome’ he
created in the gym.

“Mr. Peter engages his
students in discussions,
listening and guiding
them. He encourages
them to speak up, and
his lack of ego has made
them comfortable
enough to do so.

Outside the classroom,
he continues to listen
to and care for his
students, always making
the time when someone
needs him. He is also
a phenomenal soccer
coach, instilling not just
skills into his players,
but sportsmanship and
motivation as well.”
Finish this sentence: If I
weren’t teaching,
I’d be …
coaching soccer. I
previously owned and
operated the Shenandoah
Soccer Academy, and I
have a great time teaching
the sport.

washingtonFAMILY.com September 2018
11