By Roxana Pascu, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- Cathy Peffer is a fifth-grade teacher at Kidder Elementary School who goes above and beyond for her students inside the classroom. She has taught science and social studies in the past, but now she teaches science and English Language Arts (ELA). She is also the coding club and science club advisor, and she is the middle school track coach.
Peffer has wanted to be a teacher ever since the first day of kindergarten. She was always intrigued by learning and would always try to teach her sister new concepts. Peffer stated, “I had a phenomenal second grade and fourth grade teacher that also inspired me to be a teacher.”
Although she is a teacher, she loves science, and she teaches it at Kidder. She loved learning about science, from going to zoo trips to exploring the outdoors. Peffer vacationed by camping when she was little and still enjoys camping today. She has been a scout leader in a Brunswick Cub Scout pack for the past two years.
Peffer went to college at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania for her undergraduate studies and Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio for her graduate studies. In her time at college, Peffer studied Elementary Education with a minor in exceptionalities and a master’s in reading.
Peffer’s teaching career is ongoing. She is still a teacher at Kidder Elementary, where she’s been teaching for 21 years - ten in second grade and eleven in fifth grade. “I love making a difference in my students’ lives,” said Peffer. “That AHA moment when they catch on to a new concept. I also love building up their confidence and helping them reach all of their goals in life.”
One of the challenges for Peffer is grading, as she believes it is the hardest part about being a teacher. Additionally, she puts together a science fair every year for the 5th graders, but it can be a lot of work for Peffer.
Through her 21 years of teaching, Peffer’s dedication to her students continue to make a lasting impact on the Kidder community. “It is a very challenging profession, but it’s also one of the most rewarding ones out there,” stated Peffer. “Knowing that what we teach students, they may carry with them for the rest of their lives. It’s all I have ever wanted to do. After my first day of kindergarten, I told my parents I wanted to be a teacher one day, and I got to reach that goal.”
Roxana Pascu, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Peffer in classroom; Peffer headshot.