Bob Peterson taught fifth grade for nearly thirty years in MPS. As a high school student, community activist, classroom teacher and former President of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association Bob has fought tirelessly to defend and transform public schools in Milwaukee. He is running for the city-wide seat on the school board to use his experience, deep knowledge of the school system, and his leadership skills to help bring stakeholders together to ensure that all students in Milwaukee get the schools that they deserve.
Below are listed some of his work and education experiences:
Taught 4th and 5th grade for nearly 30 years in the Milwaukee Public Schools. 1980-2015
MPS Paraprofessional on the School Support Team that intervened into schools having difficulties in the aftermath of the court ordered desegregation. 1977-1979
Co-Chair of People United for Integration and Quality Education. 1977-1980
Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, UW-Milwaukee. 1985
Founding editor of the Rethinking Schools magazine. 1986
Co-founder of La Escuela Fratney Wisconsin’s first two-way bilingual school. 1988
Wisconsin’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. 1995
Doctorate (Ed.D) in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service, Cardinal Stritch University in 2001. His dissertation was titled “Anti-prejudice, Anti-racist Teaching in a 5th grade classroom: Examining Children’s Understanding and a Classroom Teacher’s Curriculum.”
Co-founder of the Coalition to Stop the MPS Takeover. 2009-2010
President of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. 2011-2015
Co-founder of Schools and Communities United. 2013
Co-editor of several books including: Rethinking Columbus, Rethinking Elementary Education, Rethinking Mathematics, Rethinking Globalization and Transforming Teacher Unions.
Co-coordinator of Community Schools Institutes. 2017-2019
Workshop leader and keynote speaker at educational conferences on topics ranging from cultural responsive teaching, rethinking math education, weaving social justice in the elementary classroom, the dangers of private school vouchers, two-way bilingual education, rethinking Columbus, and transforming teacher unions. 1986 - present