If you’ve ever taken a biology or anatomy class at South High, you’ve probably met Michael Peterson.
When Peterson first came to Omaha to teach at South, he didn’t plan to stay long. “I never wanted to stay here for more than two years,” he admitted. “I fell in love with the school and would never change how it is.”
More than 20 years later, his attitude toward teaching hasn’t changed. His energy and determination to help both new and returning students show how South High has truly become his home.
Though his classroom is known for its lively atmosphere, there’s one thing Peterson could do without — the class snake, Vern. He confessed he’s not a “snake guy” and would much rather have a dog. “I’ve got two at home, and I’d rather deal with them any day,” he said.
Peterson’s journey to becoming a teacher is an interesting one. He said he always enjoyed school and loved learning so much that he stayed extra years in college — seven in total.
“Teaching just made sense; it meant I could stay in school forever,” he said with a laugh.
Peterson said the hardest part of school wasn’t the classes or the workload, but actually graduating. Since he stayed in college so long, the government eventually had to push him to finish.
Although he teaches science now, it wasn’t his first passion.
“I took a lot of science classes not because I had to, but because I was good at it,” he said.
With his genuine love for teaching and his dedication to his students, it’s clear that Peterson is here for the long run.
