SHPA 15th Anniversary-Staff Spotlight

Although it has been a challenging year, it remains a very special one as we mark our 15th anniversary as a school! In celebrating the significance of this year, we are profiling three staff members who were part of the community when it was founded: Mr. Brent Peterson, Ms. Celeste Wiederholt, and Ms. Laura Christoff-Doyle. We are so grateful to their commitment and many contributions to our school’s growth and success.

Mr. Peterson first joined the school as an Educational Assistant, before getting his teacher’s license and working as a Math Specialist. Mr. Peterson later began doing administrative work in the area of assessment and served on the School Board, before going on to get his K-12 Principal’s License, after which he since assumed the role of Bloomington Campus Principal. Mr. Peterson has two children, Eloise and Oliver, who attend Seven Hills, and his wife, Nicole, is an educator as well, having previously worked for several years as a Kindergarten Teacher and Literacy Specialist at Seven Hills.

1. What is your favorite memory of SHPA?
There are so many great memories both student ($100 bills being passed out, snakes coming to school, Latin derivatives Bee where we literally run out of words, surprise hug from backstage for graduating 5th grader) and teacher (staff olympics for fall PD, moving the whole school to semi trailers during BC renovations, U Haul trips for lunch tables or other school supplies, holiday party karaoke) that it is hard to pick a favorite. But perhaps my fondest memory comes from the BC Civitas Fair last year. Seeing students and families sharing food, dance, and projects that represented a part of who we are, really brought out the community feel of being in the ancient Roman Forum. I think that sticks out because it was the last large scale human contact for many of us, and I miss that these days.

2. What is something that teaching at SHPA has taught you?
I was not a trained teacher when I began at Seven Hills, so I have really learned everything in my time here. Relationships between and among us are really central to learning. We can only believe each other if we believe in each other. Classical education reminds us that learning is interconnected, tenuous at times, but beautiful in the end. I have learned how to cultivate wonder and embrace curiosity for a lifetime.

3. What are some of the changes SHPA has gone through that stick in your memory?
Seven Hills has changed names, undergone building renovations, merged with Beacon Prep, moved buildings, grown to 5 or 6 times its original population and more. Every year we look at how we embody Classical learning and how the Greek Paideia principles of communal development ensure we stay true to our mission. Our equity journey keeps us revisiting how to provide an educational setting where the best education for one student is the same setting that provides the best education for all. The change that sticks in my mind is that we must live in change and resist staticness. Responsiveness is what teaching and learning are all about.

Ms. Wiederholt has served the school in various capacities during her time at Seven Hills, chief among them a Kindergarten Teacher at the Bloomington Campus, beloved by her students and families. Ms. Wiederholt’s caring dedication to the Seven Hills learning community led her to serve on the School Board and sit on its Public Relations and Human Resources Committees. Ms. Wiederholt has been a teacher leader for the school and has a daughter, Ava, at the Middle School, as well as a son, Nick, who is a 2017 graduate of Seven Hills.

1. What is your favorite memory of SHPA?
I have so many wonderful memories of SHPA as a teacher and a parent. I would say one of my favorite memories is always the first day of school when I am standing by my door nervous to welcome my new class of kindergarten students and families because in kindergarten the first day is a family event. This day brings such joy to me each and every year. Seeing the smiles, hearing good morning Mrs. Wiederholt and getting a welcoming hug makes my nerves go away and know that this will be the best year! And of course, it turns out to be the best year. I am proud to say I am a kindergarten teacher at SHPA and really love getting to see my students grow up and graduate.

2. What is something that teaching at SHPA has taught you?
Teaching at SHPA has helped me to take risks and step outside my comfort zone to join committees, be a q-comp coach, represent teachers on the board and many other wonderful opportunities to grow and develop as a teacher. I love teaching and being part of the SHPA community. Over the 15 years, I have been lucky enough to do what I love and know that this is the job that is right for me!

3. What are some of the changes SHPA has gone through that stick in your memory?
I think one of the biggest changes at SHPA is the growth! We started as a smaller school and could have staff meetings in one of our classrooms. Now we have 2 locations and needed to build a gym to fit all our staff in for an all staff meeting. We had construction at the Bloomington campus, adding another level, we added middle school to our original K-5 school and we now have 2 great locations to offer more families the opportunity to be part of our amazing SHPA community. One thing that has not changed is that I am proud to be a teacher and parent at SHPA.

Ms. Christoff-Doyle has been Special Education Teacher and Case Manager for the school, known for her compassionate advocacy for her students. Ms. Christoff-Doyle has merged, moved, and grown right along with the Seven Hills’ Middle School program, where she instills in her students a lasting appreciation for a Classical education. Ms. Christoff-Doyle’s daughter, Molly, with whom she shares an abiding love for the liberal arts, is presently a 6th grade Language Arts Teacher at Seven Hills.

1. What is your favorite memory of SHPA?
A favorite memory during my time at SHPA, is when Wing Young Huie came and spoke with students about his photographs and his life as an artist.

2. What is something that teaching at SHPA has taught you?
SHPA has taught me the importance of providing positive, growth-minded learning opportunities for both teachers and their students.

3. What are some of the changes SHPA has gone through that stick in your memory?
Over the years, SHPA has changed through the relationships it’s built between children, families,
teachers, staff, neighborhoods and larger communities