“Love Your Neighbor” is February’s theme for St. Cloud Area School District 742 staff, and no one represents that better than Jack Peterson, special education supervisor. Whether he is doing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) work, Peterson exudes what it means to love students just like they are family.
Peterson describes himself as the nerdy kid who made all his cousins play school at his house when they were young.
“We’d go to their house; we’d play football and games,” says Peterson. “I even had my stuffed animals lined up as students. I was the teacher. My mom was the principal.”
He knew from an early age his path would lead him to education.
While a student at St. Cloud State University, he interned at Clearview Elementary School. His focus was in elementary education. However, when he worked with students with special needs in Ms. Gertsinger’s art class, he knew he wanted to switch gears.
He graduated with a teaching license in special education and took a position in the Twin Cities. However, he and his wife wanted to be back in St. Cloud, so he took a teaching position in District 742 and shortly thereafter began working on his school administration degree. He jumped at the opening for a PBIS coordinator with District 742.
“I’ve been pushing positive behavior supports for 14 years,” says Peterson.
Peterson’s students have always felt like family to him. In fact, family is the main theme of his life.
“Family has always been important to me,” explains Peterson. “Growing up – that was my favorite – hanging out with family. Going on trips, we’d had a place up on Mille Lacs. So, we’d spend a lot of time on weekends up there and going fishing.”
He and his wife wanted to expand their family but experienced unexplained infertility and then chose the adoption route. They were open-minded about gender and race but wanted to adopt a child between the ages of 5 and 9. But when sister and brother, Nya (age 15) and Kuerkow (age 14), were introduced, Peterson and his wife knew right away they were meant to be a family.
“We jumped right in and said, ‘Let’s do it!'” says Peterson. “I joke with everybody that we skipped diapers and went straight to wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth and drama! It’s been an amazing experience.”
It was a touching day in the courtroom after a year and a half adoption process.
“It was emotional,” says Peterson. “When children are 14 or older, the judge asks them the adoption questions instead of the parents. We’d always joke with the kids when a date was set for adoption. They’d say, ‘Maybe we’ll say no.’ It was a special day. That’s what we call our anniversary date.”
After the children knew seven different homes in six years, they officially became a family with the Petersons.
“Everyone was like, ‘They’re older. You’re not going to bond,'” shares Peterson. “[But] we totally did bond. It feels like we’ve had them forever. It was fun to watch them finish high school and go out as young adults.”
Peterson and his wife have instilled “family” in Nya and Kuerkow. Each family member has their own tattoo that represents their family. Each tattoo incorporates their “anniversary date” in it.
From Peterson’s personal life to his professional life, he understands social emotional learning and positive behavior support systems are vital in child development. It’s just one more reason he is so passionate about his job and is proud that District 742 schools are PBIS Exemplar schools. When it comes down to it, District 742 is his extended family.
Fun Facts:
1. Peterson and his wife love to go camping.
2. Peterson loves to scroll his social media. Who doesn’t?
3. He has a dog and a cat that he loves to play with.
4. Peterson really just likes to hang out with his family playing cards and games, shopping and eating out.
5. The Petersons have family dinners every night. No cell phones allowed and their kids love it.
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