During his forty years in education, Rick Pepe has worn many hats: teacher, coach of two sports, class and club advisor, announcer, DJ and student-teacher host, to name several. His total immersion in the life of his suburban high school has given him unusual insight into the teacher-student relationship and will encourage young professionals to make it their own priority.
"At age fourteen, I wanted a career that I could enjoy. That was paramount.... I wanted to make a difference and have fun doing it. A life spent among high school kids seemed to be the way to go." Thank You for My Children proves that true.
In this honest journal kept during his final year at Schalmont High and enriched with anecdotes from his long career and observations about both, he shows us that "realness" -- service, fairness, loyalty and fun -- is the key to positive relationships that will last not just a few semesters, but for many years.
As noted teacher-educator Harry K. Wong says in The First Days of School, "You were hired to impact lives. You were hired not so much to teach third grade, or history, or physical education, as to influence lives."
Rick Pepe has done, and continues to do, just that.
About the Author
Rick Pepe taught English at Schalmont High School in Rotterdam, N.Y. for thirty-seven years, followed by four years teaching high school seniors about the profession at the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery County BOCES in Johnstown, N.Y. He also coached girls basketball and softball for fifty-two total seasons, advised the Student Council for twenty years, and was advisor to the Class of 1976.
He lives with his wife and inspiration Elisa in Princetown, N.Y.
