Back in the classroom again

When Autumn Peeper decided to get back into teaching she didn’t want to take the comfortable route. She decided to go full force.
Peeper will have a full plate this school year teaching high school English, journalism and coaching the Iola High School cheerleading squad.
She and her husband, Bill, IHS history teacher, met at Oklahoma State University. Upon graduating they moved to Syracuse. Both taught while they were there.
At the time Peeper was teaching elementary school but decided to become a stay-at-home mom for the last 10 years to raise her two children BriAnna, 11, and Mason, 7. Outside the classroom she taught about 65 students dance lessons at her own studio for nine years.
In 2010 the Peeper family decided to relocate to Iola.
“We wanted to stay in Kansas but also wanted to be closer to our family in Oklahoma,” she said.
For the last 10 years she has cheered on her family in all their endeavors, her daughter with her dancing, her son in his sports activities and her husband, who coached the IHS boys basketball team until retiring from coaching last year. She also worked at Wesley United Methodist Church part time.
“I started substitute teaching off and on the last few years,” she said. “I did some subbing long term and I was ready to go back. My kids are at a good age and I wanted to teach high school this time.”
Peeper said she was excited to get back into a classroom and was looking forward to working with her husband, too.
“We will be on separate floors but we are really excited about having the same schedule,” she said. “It’s also comforting to teach here because I’m familiar with a lot of the staff already.”
When she moved to Iola she taught dance lessons at the recreation department. She hopes to use her experience and knowledge in dance to guide the 14 IHS cheerleaders this year.
“My background in dance is what helped me get involved with the cheer team here,” she said. “It’s been at least two years since I’ve taught dance and I’m ready to get back in the creative aspect of that.”
As for the classroom she will teach three sections of British literature to seniors. She plans to make the subject as exciting as possible and find activities that best suit their interests.
“I’m ready to get my feet wet and soak up as much of it as possible,” she said. “I know technology is much more prevalent and I want to incorporate that more in the classroom.”
Over the summer she had the chance to attend a three-day workshop with her two yearbook editors. She said the two students want to try new things as far as design and she’s open to new ideas.
“As an advisor I want to help them focus on where they want to go and help them accomplish that,” she said.
She will also be teaching one of her favorite hobbies, photography.