Gustaf H. Peterson, Jr.
Tonight we induct Gustaf H. Peterson, Jr. into Branford's Education Hall of Fame. Known as "Gus" by his friends and colleagues but to his students, present and past, he is Mr. Peterson, a revered teacher who cares about them individually and makes their learning meaningful, challenging and fun.
Fifty-three years ago in Tarrytown, New York, Gus Peterson was born to Gustaf and Jane Peterson. He grew up as an only child and attended Bryam Hills High School in Armonk, New York, where his extracurricular interests centered on soccer, golf, tennis and Boy Scouts. In Armonk, as an 8th grader, Gus encountered Michael Muccio, a teaching legend in town. Gus credits him as having a major impact on his development saying, "He was one hundred percent plus invested in our success and made fun out of math." Gus' teaching colleagues and students see the same traits in him.
Following high school, Gus attended Tufts University, graduating in 1980 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in economics. At Tufts, perhaps foreshadowing his entry into teaching, Gus designed and taught a current events class in the "X College". He developed strong business skills at Tufts that served him will when he entered his family's business, a wood pulp, paper, and recycled paper industry and when he eventually took over the business.
Gus found that being a leader in the business was interesting, challenging and involved much travel. During this period in his life Gus and his wife, Sheridan, were married and had three children, Kelly (BHS Class of 2007), Kevin (BHS Class of 2011) and Laura (BHS Class of 2013).
Fortunately for his future students, after seventeen years as a successful businessman, Gus came to the realization he wanted to do something more with his life. He enrolled in the teacher preparation program at Quinnipiac University in 1997, earning a Master's Degree in Education. While at Quinnipiac, Gus was assigned to the Walsh Intermediate School, first as an intern, then as a student teacher under the supervision of Judy DeCaprio, longtime WIS social studies teacher and member of Branford's Education Hall of Fame. Gus calls DeCaprio, "One of the most influential people in my adult life because she modeled how to be an excellent teacher every day. She is someone who loved the job and while teaching at the level of the students, was never afraid to keep raising the bar of academic expectations higher and higher." This is an accurate description of Gus Peterson, the teacher, as well.
The Peterson family moved to Branford in 1999, because his oldest daughter, Kelly, was about to enter 5th grade and "I wanted her to go to WIS because it was, and is, an amazing school". Gus was hired later in 1999 as an 8th grade social studies teacher at WIS. Here he is a respected teacher who has continually grown in effectiveness by adapting to the learning needs and styles of his students. His classroom is alive with students who see his teaching as being relevant to them, challenging and fun.
Gus has provided significant leadership as a member of Branford's Social Studies Committee and the WIS School Improvement Team He has been an advisor to the WIS Student Council and serves as an advisor and chaperone for the High School Model Congress. Gus is the WIS Social Studies Department Leader. In 2004, Gus was awarded the WIS Faculty Excellence Award and now, most appropriately, he is being inducted into Branford's Education Hall of Fame.
Fifty-three years ago in Tarrytown, New York, Gus Peterson was born to Gustaf and Jane Peterson. He grew up as an only child and attended Bryam Hills High School in Armonk, New York, where his extracurricular interests centered on soccer, golf, tennis and Boy Scouts. In Armonk, as an 8th grader, Gus encountered Michael Muccio, a teaching legend in town. Gus credits him as having a major impact on his development saying, "He was one hundred percent plus invested in our success and made fun out of math." Gus' teaching colleagues and students see the same traits in him.
Following high school, Gus attended Tufts University, graduating in 1980 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in economics. At Tufts, perhaps foreshadowing his entry into teaching, Gus designed and taught a current events class in the "X College". He developed strong business skills at Tufts that served him will when he entered his family's business, a wood pulp, paper, and recycled paper industry and when he eventually took over the business.
Gus found that being a leader in the business was interesting, challenging and involved much travel. During this period in his life Gus and his wife, Sheridan, were married and had three children, Kelly (BHS Class of 2007), Kevin (BHS Class of 2011) and Laura (BHS Class of 2013).
Fortunately for his future students, after seventeen years as a successful businessman, Gus came to the realization he wanted to do something more with his life. He enrolled in the teacher preparation program at Quinnipiac University in 1997, earning a Master's Degree in Education. While at Quinnipiac, Gus was assigned to the Walsh Intermediate School, first as an intern, then as a student teacher under the supervision of Judy DeCaprio, longtime WIS social studies teacher and member of Branford's Education Hall of Fame. Gus calls DeCaprio, "One of the most influential people in my adult life because she modeled how to be an excellent teacher every day. She is someone who loved the job and while teaching at the level of the students, was never afraid to keep raising the bar of academic expectations higher and higher." This is an accurate description of Gus Peterson, the teacher, as well.
The Peterson family moved to Branford in 1999, because his oldest daughter, Kelly, was about to enter 5th grade and "I wanted her to go to WIS because it was, and is, an amazing school". Gus was hired later in 1999 as an 8th grade social studies teacher at WIS. Here he is a respected teacher who has continually grown in effectiveness by adapting to the learning needs and styles of his students. His classroom is alive with students who see his teaching as being relevant to them, challenging and fun.
Gus has provided significant leadership as a member of Branford's Social Studies Committee and the WIS School Improvement Team He has been an advisor to the WIS Student Council and serves as an advisor and chaperone for the High School Model Congress. Gus is the WIS Social Studies Department Leader. In 2004, Gus was awarded the WIS Faculty Excellence Award and now, most appropriately, he is being inducted into Branford's Education Hall of Fame.