MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – UP Schools are starting to head back into session, bringing new students and some new faculty to the classroom. Heading back to in the fall, the faculty is hard at work making sure the classroom is ready to mold the minds of the future. Some faculty note there’s a calling to education and while some experiences don’t always go to plan.
“A lot’s happened the pandemic my divorce and my son got cancer and passed. Part of healing from that big of a loss is finding meaning in life again,” commented Dr. Kristen Peterson.
Dr. Kristen Peterson has serviced the 13 school districts in Marquette and Alger counties as an education consultant, and after 11 years is now back in the halls of the school serving as the new principal for the Graveraet Elementary Comets. She comments that as hardships come and go in life, it can be another mountain to search for inspiration.
“That sentiment that when all that’s left to me is love, give me away and on those tough moments when I’ve already put in a long day and I’m tired and I’m reminded that is what I’m here to do. I see bits of my son in all of the kids here at Graveraet. It’s like this beautiful very hard thing but beautiful to see students that I could take that pain and that loss and help support them and love them and support them and support the staff,” continued Peterson.
Peterson explained that the field of education has never been easy, but one of the biggest lessons she’s learned on the other end of the classroom is that sometimes it’s how you learn and not necessarily what you learn.
“Every day the teacher sets the climate for that classroom were greeting students when they come in. Students know if they feel accepted and loved we create that community where students make new friendships and they become inspired to learn or try something that might be hard,” continued Peterson.
Dr. Peterson plans to bring her son’s love for reading into Graveraet Elementary, helping students in any way she can on their educational journey.
