Henrico's Top Teachers – Rob Peck, Freeman High School, history
Ask anyone at Freeman H.S. how the school's Leadership Center consistently dominates the top ranks at state and national We the People competitions, and nearly all point to one person: Rob Peck.
Peck goes "above and beyond" to prepare his students for competition, wrote one nominator. "He has met with students online during days off from school, and before, during, and after school."
"The time commitment from Mr. Peck is extraordinary," agreed a parent, and observes that students do not simply admire their teacher, but "revere" him. "My son has said many times that the team wants to win We The People to honor Mr. Peck. I have not seen another teacher inspire kids to work so hard outside of normal requirements."
But the comments in Peck's nominations range far beyond praise for his teams' winning ways, and touch more often on the way he has equipped his students with lifelong habits of listening, thinking, and cultivating an open mind.
"Mr. Peck is so devoted to his students and their education," a parent wrote. "He encourages the students to consider all sides of any argument regardless of their political opinions, and encourages each student to be independent in their thoughts. He has taught them to disagree civilly despite polarizing views, [and] helped them mature and become better citizens."
"He is all in to support his students in their potential," one nominator wrote of Peck. "He understands that creating broad educated thinkers is what will advance our society."
Another nominator wrote that by encouraging students to learn about their government, critically defend their opinions, and respectfully listen to others' perspectives, Peck has prepared them to be "informed citizens who actively engage in their communities. He cares deeply for the students and their futures."
"He pours his heart and soul into teaching and is beloved by all," a parent said. "Mr. Peck continually inspires students to do their very best. He is a teacher who has truly touched countless lives."
When Peck is asked to recall his own memorable teachers, he noted that the best ones "had a combination of intellectual rigor and empathy." He named his 11th-grade English teacher, Mr. Weidner, among the most notable.
"He showed me that hard work was its own reward," Peck recalled, "and that my self-respect from work done well would earn respect from others, too. He was right."
Peck noted that his biggest challenge as a teacher is keeping students engaged, despite their variety of interests and range of abilities and needs.
"Some students need to be given room to soar," he said, "and some need to be convinced that they can, in fact, take the next step." His job, as he sees it, is to determine how to stretch the students who need more challenge, and how to clarify concepts for students who need an assist. (“Let’s read that last sentence out loud and see if we can break it down into smaller ideas.”)
Among the favorite teaching memories he cited is that of seeing a quiet student suddenly take charge at a We the People competition some years ago.
Although she was well-prepared, the student was too nervous to speak, Peck says – until the judges asked a question. "[It was] a question she and her classmates should have known, but it became clear no one was going to answer."
As Peck describes it, the quiet student "looked up and down the line of her classmates, dropped her head, then sat up straight and gave a perfect answer. When the competition was over, her classmates literally lifted her up and cheered."
Today, that student is a teacher, Peck said, and "she will tell you that moment changed her life."
"The great joy of teaching," he continued, "is seeing a student exceed what they expect of themselves, and recognize that they can be more and better than they thought was possible.
"If you’re lucky as a teacher, you get to see your students exceed you. I’ve been very lucky."
