Peggy is thrilled work at The Franklin School of Innovation as a 5th grade Science teacher. Her inquiry-based teaching reflects her philosophy that students learn science best when they have opportunities to act as scientists. By doing science, students are able to develop scientific ways of thinking and science practices as they deepen their content knowledge. Raised in the NC Appalachians, she’s excited to integrate the ecology of the mountains she loves into her teaching in and beyond the classroom.
Previously, Peggy taught sixth grade science for two years. In addition, she has spent six summers teaching backpacking, geocaching, and environmental science with students ranging from elementary to high school. Her “classrooms” have included the redwood forests of California, Grand Teton National Park, and the Black Mountains of NC. She obtained her B.S. in biology from Davidson College and earned her M.A.T. and Ed. S. in science education from the University of Georgia. She believes her role as teacher is to model her own voracious love of learning, curiosity about the natural world, and ethic of environmental stewardship and community values. By doing so, she seeks to awaken and nurture these traits in her students.
When not at school, you’ll find Peggy hiking or kayaking with friends and family. On a rainy day, you’ll find her curled up with a good book and a cup of tea or baking blackberry scones.