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Granite Falls has state's top teacher

Andrea Peterson, an elementary school music instructor, is the Teacher of the Year.

By Melissa Slager / Herald Writer

GRANITE FALLS - An energetic Granite Falls music teacher was named the state's Teacher of the Year on Tuesday.

Andrea Peterson, who has taught vocal and instrumental music for 10 years, learned about the honor at a ceremony in Seattle. State Superintendent Terry Bergeson made the surprise announcement.

"I'm sort of shell-shocked," Peterson said. "It's an amazing honor."

The teaching award puts Peterson in the running for the national Teacher of the Year honor, which is led by the Council of Chief State School Officers in Washington, D.C. President Bush will announce that winner next spring.

Peterson teaches at Monte Cristo Elementary School. She was one of nine regional finalists for the state award. She said she's proud to represent her colleagues, whom she calls equally worthy.

As Teacher of the Year, Peterson will leave her classroom for the next year and travel statewide to serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession.

Peterson was recognized for her passion in the classroom and her leadership qualities.

Granite Falls Superintendent Joel Thaut called Peterson perhaps the best teacher he's watched at any level.

"She is very structured. There are certain expectations for how you behave in class, and you do that. At the same time, kids are having a great time and learning a lot," Thaut said. "Our kids' knowledge about music is really advanced for elementary school."

When Peterson first started teaching in Granite Falls, she split her time between Monte Cristo Elementary and the middle and high schools because there wasn't enough interest for a full-time elementary music teacher.

It was then-Superintendent Gary Wall who encouraged her to expand the elementary music program, she recalled. She eventually helped craft the district's K-12 music curriculum.

She also has trained other teachers through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Peterson was the first teacher in the state to earn the group's certification in early and middle childhood music, making her a specialist in her field.

Peterson ties music lessons to those students learn in their general classrooms, helping reinforce the lessons.

A musical about the Lewis and Clark expedition, for example, helped students perform better on a history test about the explorers.

Students in Peterson's class learn how to play everything from the familiar recorder to African drums.

"In addition to the kids coming in and learning some of the valuable lessons I try to teach, I hope they're having a good time, too," she said.

Peterson hadn't always planned to teach.

Her high math scores on the college-entrance SAT earned her enough scholarships to pay her way at the University of Washington's pre-med program.

After visiting her older twin brothers at their music school in Colorado, however, her heart felt a different tug.

Peterson switched to a double major in vocal and instrumental music. She had to give up many of her scholarships in the process.

Peterson plays saxophone and is a mezzo soprano.

Along with her musician brothers, several relatives are both teachers and musicians. Her father is a special-education teacher.

"Teaching and music has always just been so much a part of my life," she said.

Peterson was born in Canada and moved to the United States with her family at age 7. She lived in California and Colorado before settling in Washington. She graduated from Onalaska High School in southwest Washington.

She lives in Everett with her husband, Joel. They recently learned they're expecting their first child.

Peterson said she hopes her students develop a love of music and of learning. "I hope they understand you have to practice excellence every day."

Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.