Kate Peake, a teacher at Patagonia Elementary School, was named
Runner-Up in the 2023 SCC Teacher of the Year Competition. Photos by Marion Vendituoli
“I’m really grateful for the support of the community and the recognition of the hard work of the school community,” said Kate Peake, the middle school English language arts teacher at Patagonia Elementary School. Peake was awarded 2nd place in the annual Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year competition, the second year in a row that the Patagonia School District was honored. Last year, PUHS history teacher Jeff Gudenkauf took home the top honors in the contest.
Peake was one of 21 nominees from both elementary and high schools across the county, chosen by their fellow teachers at each school. The Patagonia High School nominee was English teacher Journee Hayes. The Elgin School nominee was third grade teacher Kerry Newberry. Nominees submit their resume, their philosophy of education, a personal statement and three letters of recommendation.
Peake’s passion and commitment to her students and her love of books is reflected in her classroom. “I believe that all students deserve an excellent education that supports their journey to become fully realized citizens,” she said.
She has solicited donations, mainly from family and friends, to equip her room with wiggle seats, comfy chairs, standing desks, and a library of books to create an inviting space for her middle school students. She takes her classes to the Patagonia Library regularly and teaches them how to find books that might interest them.
“My goal is to be the best English teacher that I can be,” she said. “My biggest challenge is fitting it all in, all the exciting things I want to do with them.”
She believes that the way to motivate middle schoolers to read is to give them “choice, independence and support.” Her students are encouraged to read books of their own choosing, as well as assigned novels that the whole class reads together.
Peake meets with each student to set individual learning goals. Her goal is to develop ‘reflective learners.’ “They set goals, constantly review them and possibly reset those goals,” she said. “I’m teaching them to be self-reflective and that they need to be active participants in their education.”
“Ms. Peake is probably the best teacher I have ever had the privilege of working with,” wrote fellow teacher Randi Trantham. “She holds herself and her students to a very high level of achievement both academically and socially. She has more grit and passion to help students learn and grow than I have ever seen in a colleague.”
Last year Peake and her 36 students from grades 6-8 set a goal to read 360 books by the end of the year. When that goal was reached, she threw a huge party for the kids, their parents, and guests. This year, with 40 students, the goal of 400 books has been set.
This is Peake’s third year teaching in Patagonia. She has a master’s degree in education administration, as well as a master’s in business administration.
Previously, she taught for seven years in St. Louis, MO and worked in curriculum development. After moving to Patagonia, she worked for Borderlands Restoration Network in development before joining the Patagonia Elementary School. She is on the board of Friends of the Patagonia Library. Peake and her husband, David, have two children in the Patagonia schools.
