TEACHER'S CORNER: INDUSTRIAL ARTS BRING MATH, SCIENCE, ART AND LANGUAGE TO DRAWING BOARD

JACKSON -- When Ken Peters teaches industrial arts at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School in Jackson, students apply their math, science, art and language skills to a project.

Peters said lessons in industrial arts often show students the purpose of their other lessons. In addition, the course offers the youngsters a chance to try new things.

"The junior high industrial arts program is exploratory in nature to enable the student to better assess his abilities and interests for making an occupational choice," Peters said. "Our program provides an opportunity for individuals, boys and girls, to participate in direct experiences involving industrial skills and processes."

Students typically complete a project in each of six areas: drafting, woods, metals, leather, plastic and electricity. Along the way they learn industrial methods and processes.

Peters said the plastic project is often a favorite. Students make a salt shaker, toy football and bank.

"In 1962 when I started school at SEMO I had my mind made up to become a teacher," he said. "I have always liked to work with kids."

He earned a bachelor's degree in 1966 and a master's degree in 1973. Peters has been teaching at Jackson for 28 years.

In addition to teaching, Peters worked at a boys camp in Minnesota for 22 years, supervising arts and crafts. For five of those years, he also took groups of campers to fish and camp in Canada.

He coached eighth-grade basketball for nine years and was assistant high school baseball coach for eight years.

"Today it's gratifying to meet students I have had in the past and learn of the impact the junior high program had on them," Peters said. "They're always appreciative of the experiences they have had and relate to me how our program has assisted them in their profession or avocation."

Peters and his wife, Mary, have four children, Mary Kay, Mindy, Michael and Matt.

He is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and past Sunday school superintendent.

He enjoys fishing, coaching basketball, distance running and officiating basketball.