Brittany Peterson, Kris Salmon honored as TAPS teachers of the year
By Per Peterson
Brittany Peterson has followed in her mother’s footsteps in the teaching field all the way to becoming the 2018 Tracy Area High School Teacher of the Year.
Peterson served as a substitute teacher in the school district from 2005-2010 and also coached Junior Olympic and junior high volleyball and taught ACT prep math. She took a full-time teaching position in 2015, teaching all seventh- and eighth-grade math courses.
“She strives daily to do everything she can for her students,” said presenter Kailey Beerman. “As spoken by some of her fellow colleagues, Mrs. Peterson is a very dedicated teacher, who puts in many hours outside the school for her classes. She truly cares about each and every one of her students and hopes they see success.”
Peterson and her husband, Bryce, have three sons: Lane (7), Soren (4) and Tate (2).
Peterson said math, while not the favorite subject of many students, is a way for her to connect with the kids.
“My goal is to teach them math skills and the background for which they need those skills,” she said. “I get to teach all the seventh-graders and all the eighth-graders, so I have two consecutive years of making connections and building relationships with these kids. It really is fun, I’m a lucky lady. I care very much about each of my students and their success.”
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The Tracy Area Elementary School Teacher of the Year award went to Kris Salmon.
Allison Edwards presented Salmon with the award. Edwards said that Salmon is always one of the first teachers at school and enjoyed pushing herself with new ideas to enhance her classroom.
“Students respect Mrs. Salmon because she treats everyone the same,” Edwards said. “She excels with students because of her calm, caring demeanor. She feels that all students need to feel safe and loved when they get to school.”
Salmon and her husband, Jeff, raised two boys: Reed and Blake.
TAES teachers nominate teachers for the award, and third- through sixth-graders choose the winner by a vote.
“I’m honored to be nominated by my peers, and it is always nice to hear that the kids appreciate or notice what I do,” Salmon said. “I am lucky to have such great coworkers who make going to school every day fun! Our third-grade team strives to make every day a good day for our students.”
For more on the American Education Banquet, see this week’s Headlight-Herald.