St. George’s welcomes principal Peters

Peters borrows the pearl of wisdom from his grandmother, Pauleen Peters, who was an elementary schoolteacher herself. Peters isn’t getting caught up in the prestige of his new position, choosing instead to make the development of the students his top priority.

“I think an administrator needs to find the best in the people that he or she works with. You need to find and support their strengths, and help them develop their weaknesses so they become strengths,” said Peters.

Before being selected as St. George’s principal, Peters taught grades one and two, and physical education at Selwyn House School. Before that, he was a ski instructor in Switzerland at the John F. Kennedy International School.

For Peters, being supportive, encouraging, friendly and transparent are his keystones.

“I like to be a positive influence on the social and emotional development of children. That’s really why I became an educator,” he said.

Peters rejects the idea of a “one size fits all” approach to education, and believes strongly in developing each child with his or her unique attributes in mind.

“As I went through the interview process with St. George’s, it became clear to me that they are committed to differentiated learning and a child-centred approach to learning which fits well with my philosophy on education as well,” said Peters, who believes that a great impact can be made on children at the early stages. It is during the early years, he says, that the foundation for future educational pursuits is built.

“We have to have happy and safe children before we can have brilliant children. Before we can work on the maths and sciences, we need to learn about how they’re feeling and how they view themselves and their world.”

Peters says he’s looking forward to becoming part of “the warm St. George’s family of parents, teachers, administrators and students.”

Back at home, Peters and his family— wife Natalie and son Foster — look forward to the birth of their own newest member, due Aug. 24.