Every high school has a teacher who has reached legendary status through their teaching.  At Athens Drive High School, that legend is Mr. Peters. Echoing through the halls of Athens Drive every morning, you’ll hear the daily call of “What’s happening?” or a shouting match with a malfunctioning laptop. However, he’s walking across the stage with the Class of 2026 this year: Mr. Peters is officially retiring. While his students will miss his teaching, his colleagues in the English department are mostly wondering how they are going to survive the hallways without his daily doses of comedy. 

For several teachers in the department, surviving their rookie years was only possible thanks to Peters’ stabilizing yet sarcastic mentorship. Katelyn Wizowaty met him during her very first year of teaching at Athens. While he taught her how to collaborate, communicate and solve problems, his most important lesson was teaching her how to untangle school drama. 

“He was my mentor for my first three years,” said Wizowaty. “He has taught me how to prioritize and decide what really matters and what I might not have control over. Without his guidance, I would be much more stressed and serious about things I don’t need to be. His advice on all of these things is going to stay with me long after he leaves.”

Andie Faircloth met Peters on her very first day at Athens almost a decade ago, immediately gaining a “department mentor” who was always checking in. She also admires his rare ability to withstand changing educational trends, through transitions from paper to computer and even to a fully virtual school.

“Mr. Peters is the type of veteran educator that all younger teachers should strive to be like,” said Faircloth. “He is resilient, passionate and honest. He is willing to pivot to meet new classroom and teaching ‘norms,’ while still holding his standards high. He helps every single student to grow and can teach all levels of learners.”

When you ask the English department for their favorite memories of Mr. Peters, the standout answer is from the Farmer’s Market, specifically, the North Carolina Seafood Restaurant during teacher workdays. For English teacher Ashley Turner, who joined the staff in 2016, watching Mr. Peters discover a lunchtime trip there remains her favorite memory. 

“When he found out where we were going, his face lit up like a little child at Christmas, and his excitement was just infectious,” said Turner. “I’m going to miss his steady presence and his encyclopedia of knowledge on English literature.”

When he isn’t crushing plates of fried shrimp, Mr. Peters can apparently be found on the golf course, napping in his chair outside or wandering the halls. Math teacher Christopher Remaley, who has been friends with Mr. Peters since their start at Athens, says he’s going to miss Mr. Peters’ daily timing. 

“He has made my morning every day for the last several years, greeting me with a smile and hello and always asking me funny questions,” said Remaley. “I love his positivity and upbeat attitude, and how he always asks me about Senior Events after they have already happened! For example, he asked the other day, ‘Is today the Senior Breakfast?'”

It’s this exact daily chaos that his department will miss the most. Despite his status as the department’s chief comedian with all-caps emails and intense stories, Turner notes that crossing the hall won’t be the same without being available for quick consultations. 

“He’s a real-life Mr. Keating, inspiring students and coworkers alike,” said Turner. “His love for our subject (and his vast expertise) has been truly inspirational, and I’m going to miss being able to cross the hall and chat with him about books.”

As the final bell rings on his career, the department just wants him to know he did a spectacular job. Athens Drive will definitely be a little quieter, a little less sarcastic and significantly less efficient at yelling at laptops, but Peters’ legacy is firmly secure.

“I hope that he understands how many people he has impacted throughout his career and really takes this time to rest,” said Wizowaty. “I hope that he pursues things he may not have had time for when he was teaching and that he accomplishes any goals or dreams that he has.”