Tyson Peters – Integrated Social Studies/World Cultures Teacher, Head Boys Golf Coach, Kids Corp. Club Advisor

Location: Mercer Island High School

Job description: Tyson teaches an integrated sophomore Social Studies/World Cultures course with English teacher, Erica Hill. Instead of a traditional 50-minute period, they take turns teaching two periods, back-to-back. This block class contains 60 students instead of 30. “Integrated block classes offer a few different benefits,” says Tyson. While his class studied Nigeria’s declaration of independence from Great Britain, Erica’s class read Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe's acclaimed account of Nigerian life before and after colonialism. “The kids get more than facts,” Tyson explains, “they get the depth that comes from feeling and understanding. Also, class time is longer, which gives us more opportunity for varied types of lessons – role-playing, making movies, and oral presentations.”

Tyson challenges his students to develop their own opinions about historical events. “Written history is often biased, depending on who wrote it,” Tyson explains. “Who’s to say only one source has the truth?” Currently, Tyson’s class is in the middle of their Age of Exploration and Colonization unit, studying various accounts of Christopher Columbus by reading his journals, perspectives of the Native Americans, and books by modern historians.

Tyson is proud of the boys’ golf team, which just finished their season. “It was a great year,” he says. “We have won four of the last six KingCo titles, and were State champs in 2005. We hope we will be again this year!”

Tyson is also an advisor for Kids Corp. Club, which matches elementary students to high school student tutors. “The idea is that young kids often respond better to working with a high school student rather than a parent or another adult,” Tyson explains. “It’s a student-managed and operated club. I’m there to provide assistance and help facilitate between families and tutors. Some of our high school students have generated really good relationships with elementary students.”

Best part of the job: “I enjoy being in an academic and social environment where you are building relationships with pretty amazing students and staff,” says Tyson. “We’ve got four history teachers and two English teachers sharing the same office,” says Tyson. “Between my coworkers and my students, I get to have great philosophical discussions. You don’t necessarily get that perk in other work environments!”

Something people may not know: “I love snow!” says Tyson with a chuckle. “Snow, more than anything else, brings out my inner child. Actually, I just love the outdoors in general.” Tyson enjoys backcountry skiing in winter, golf and hiking in spring and summer.

Years in district: This is Tyson’s ninth year with MISD.

Outside interests: While growing up in Washington State, Tyson developed a love of travel. “My family (his parents were both teachers) took trips every summer, all across the U.S. and to Europe. Afterwards, I found it fun to learn about the place I’d just been to. Today, my travels add dimension to the subjects I teach.” Tyson’s last big trip was to India, and he would like someday to travel to the Middle East and East Asia. But for now, travel may have to take a backseat to juggling family life. Tyson lives in West Seattle with his wife Yvonne, an attorney, and their children – Julian, age five, and Lila, five months. With the arrival of the new baby, Tyson says, “we are getting used to having a fourth person around the house!”