John Pieper
Webster Stanley Elementary School
Oshkosh, WI

"Becoming a teacher was an easy choice for me. When added up, my parents, stepparents, sister, and I have over 180 years of teaching experience among us. Before entering college, I chose to serve my country. I spent four years as a naval helicopter rescue crewman. Part of that time was spent in Vietnam. My tour as a teacher has included everything from a small country school to the challenges and rewards of working with severely emotionally disturbed children. Now, as a fifth grade teacher, I'm blessed to be working in a school that celebrates learning, families, diversity, and community service."

"Until recently, students' heroes were movie stars or athletes. Now they realize there are heroes in 'everyday' life. One such hero is John Pieper, both a master teacher and a veteran - someone who freely shares gifts of the heart, mind, and soul with his school community. Someone once said, 'we are nothing until someone comes into our life and touches our hearts. It is only then that we begin to feel, to create, and to be.' How fortunate for our school and the city of Oshkosh that John touches our lives."

In his class, John places a strong emphasis on cooperative learning. Many of his daily lessons involve working with a partner or in small groups. He also uses real world connections to help students better understand the concepts behind his lessons. When studying geology, instead of just reading about various types of rocks and looking at samples in a kit, students put on hard hats and tour a local quarry with a geologist. Through activities like this one, John teaches his students their lessons. He also continually challenges them to develop and refine their interpersonal skills such as patience, compassion, respect, teamwork, pride, and a sense of community.

Other Highlights:

• Professional storyteller; Featured Speaker, Wisconsin Storytellers Convention, 1998 (Overcoming a speech impediment and telling family stories about a character called Farsighted Pete led John to participate in being a storyteller)
• His students are buddies to kindergarteners
• His class partners with a local Vietnam Veterans' organization
• President, Vietnam Veterans' Association
• Host family for a student from Japan, 2001-02
• Hobbies and interests include: his loving wife, his sons, 10 pets, veteran service projects, delivery of food baskets to the needy, tutoring children, completing handy work for the elderly, fishing, and 'a really cool motorcycle'