Mr. Peterson, one of the many new young and friendly faces of Ames High, started his 2nd year of teaching this year as a Weights PE teacher, football coach, and strength and conditioning coach for athletics programs.

Coming from the small town of Pocahontas, Iowa where the whole population is around the size of our high school, Mr. Peterson is excited about the big change. 

“I’m looking forward to serving the Ames school district and all the students and being a part of the Ames Community,” says Peterson.

 For his young age, he already has a good amount of previous experience with coaching and teaching.

 “I first got into coaching before I started teaching. I first started my coaching career while I was attending Central College in Pella, IA. I studied Health and Exercise Science while also playing football for 4 years for the Dutch. I started coaching strength and conditioning while serving as a student coach. After Central, I attended St. Cloud State University where I earned my Masters’s Degree in Education Administration and Leadership, and also coached football and strength and conditioning.”

After Mr. Peterson graduated, he then began his teaching career at Pocahontas Area Community school district where he taught 7-12 PE, coached football, and began a strength and conditioning program. 

Teaching is his passion and he is “extremely grateful to have gotten into the teaching profession” where he has had some of the most “positive and impactful experiences of his life”. 

Mr. Peterson’s passion for teaching and coaching came from someone very close to him. His grandfather was a Biology teacher, cross country coach, track coach, and a great inspiration for him.

“I have always admired his work ethic, and his relentless intensity and passion toward his family and those that he has served with teaching and coaching,” Peterson says. 

As he continues to grow as a teacher himself, Mr. Peterson shared with me some of his favorite parts about what he does.

“Having the opportunity to get to know students, and build positive relationships with students and colleagues is the best part of the job. Also seeing the “light bulb” go off in students’ heads with teaching/coaching when they get it, and everything begins to flow is an awesome thing to see and experience.”

After he accepted this new job at Ames High, Mr. Peterson and his fiance (though they are die-hard Hawkeye fans) made the move to Ames. Outside of teaching he loves spending time with his family and is looking forward to his wedding this spring!

Though it is sad to see the many old Ames High teachers go, it’s more positive to look at all the amazing additions to the Ames High staff. It’s safe to say the future of our school is in good hands. Welcome to Ames High Mr. Peterson!