Letter to the Editor: National Teacher Appreciation

Last week, Patch asked you to submit letters or comments about your favorite local teacher in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week. 

Rumson Fair Haven Patch received numerous letters nominating a local Favorite Teacher. All of the letters had a common theme; they all nominated Deane Porter School’s third grade teacher Jacelyn Peterson.

Below are a few of the nomination letters we received from local readers.

• Hi. My name is Braden and I go to Deane-Porter School in Rumson. My teacher is Ms. Peterson. There are a lot of reasons why I like her.  She is nice, funny, stylish and cool. Ms. Peterson makes learning fun and she always has something fun planned. If I do not understand something she will stop and help me until I get  it. My teacher is always there for me and I love her.

• Hi,

I am writing to nominate an amazing teacher in the Rumson School District. I saw through a facebook comment from yesterday how Rumson High School was listed as a top NJ school. That listing it's due to some of our teachers in the younger grades. The teacher I nominate is by far the best, and I have had the pleasure of having her twice. She is Jacelyn Peterson, third grade teacher at Deane Porter Elementary!! She definitely rocks. She can handle special needs as well as gifted and talented. Ask all her students, previous and current, they will all agree.

Thanks,

Paulette Walsh
 

• Hi,
  My favorite teacher is Ms. Peterson at Deane Porter in Rumson.  She is my daughter’s third grade teacher and is a wonderful nurturing caring teacher. My daughter has excelled this year in reading, writing and math, and we have Ms. Peterson to thank for that! My daughter also loves being in her class and simply adores her.
  Sincerely,
  Millis Looney

• Hi,
  My name is Shelly Champeau and I'm sending this email on behalf of my daughter and family voting for Ms. Peterson as "Favorite Teacher in Rumson-Fair Haven".
  Where do I begin? Ms. Peterson is beloved by ALL, both parents and especially our kids.  Having been one of her class moms since September I had the great fortune of working closely with her for parties and trips for the kids.  I can truly say she is an upstanding individual and cares more about "her kids" as she so affectionately always refer to them than any other teacher I have encountered.  She is the mother hen and she protects her brood!! She will give her right arm for any one of our kids and we are blessed knowing that we are sending them off to a very caring yet tough teacher.
  I find Ms. Peterson to be always professional and she could diffuse any situation.  Not so long ago there was a class trip to The Museum of Natural History in NYC and I happened to be on the same bus as Ms.P and her class...well, a car hit our bus at a stop sign (nothing major) but we had to wait for the police etc. to come in. Ms. P at once and very calmly told everyone to stay in their seats and that there was nothing to worry about and we would be on our way shortly.  This could have turned into something more with kids panicking etc. but because their "leader" stayed calm and handled the situation with ease everyone followed suit.
  As far as the level of academics  Ms .Peterson has brought to her 3rd grade class, it's nothing short of outstanding!! I say this with confidence having been at a private school prior to attending Deane Porter.  Ms.P "pushes" these kids to be the best that they could be.  My daughter would do just the bare minimum but is capable of so much more and Ms. Peterson recognized this.  Rather than let that be the end of it, she instead called her out on it.  In tun, my daughter has stepped it up and is doing amazing.  If it wasn't for Ms. Peterson's vested interest in these kids they would just be "getting" by.  If I could have a "Ms.Peterson" every year for both my kids I would take it in a heartbeat and never look back!!
  In closing, I applaud Ms.Peterson as a solid, caring teacher and a wonderful human being and I am truly appreciative that my daughter had the great fortune of landing in her classroom this past September.
  
  Thank you for your time.
  
  Shelly Champeau

• To whom it may concern:
  
  My vote is for Ms. Peterson for Rumson Teacher of the Year.  She is far and away the best and most effective teacher we have come to know in the Rumson School District. My daughter has her currently and I hope my sons are blessed to have her in the future.
  
  Sincerely,
  Rodney Shenman