Happy trails, Mr. Peterson

Desdemona Bandini

The “West” was wildly festive on the last day of class when more than

400 Harbor View Elementary School students, decked out in glittery

pink cowboy hats, or western shirts, or shiny boots, gathered ‘round

the flagpole for a farewell to a beloved fifth-grade teacher.

After nine years at the school, teacher Tim Peterson is leaving

the Newport-Mesa district for Wyoming -- the Cowboy State -- to get

back to the country life he loves.

When Harbor View Principal Mellissia Christensen and members of

the Parents Faculty Organization learned he was leaving the

California coastline to fulfill his lifelong dream of living in the

wide-open spaces of Cheyenne, Wyo., they wanted to do something

special for him. They started dropping hints by mentioning Wyoming

trivia after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during the final week

of school.

Since the last day of class was also the last of the school’s

monthly themed spirit days, they chose the western theme in tribute

to Peterson. Small pioneers greeted Peterson at the school, directing

him to a horse, lent by parent Annette Croul for the event.

Peterson rode to the front of the assembly and was presented with

an oversized, 40-gallon, yellow, foam cowboy hat by parent Kim Rogers

and a real black Stetson by a teary-eyed Christensen, who was dressed

as a sheriff.

Fifth-grader Kristin Mathuny led the students in a serenade of

“Happy Trails,” the same song Peterson has ended his classes with for

nine years. The students had practiced the song secretly for a week.

“Every day here has been fun and absolutely awesome. It has been

just wonderful and amazing to teach here,” Peterson said before he

was engulfed by excited students bearing gifts.

Faculty and students said Peterson transformed his class into a

musical learning experience so popular that students looked forward

to having the chance to be in his class.

“My brother is in his class. He said he is funny and he tells

jokes in class and sings songs. I wanted to be in his class too, but

now he is leaving,” said third-grader Paddy Conroy.

Peterson was popular among parents too.

“Mr. Peterson makes learning fun. He is always making up songs

about math and English -- that really helps the kids learn. He is

like a ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ teacher and is always positive and caring

with the children,” parent Janice Markely said. “He will be missed.”

The farewell celebration ended with a skit performed by

fifth-graders Mathuny and Sarah Hostetler. Dressed as bandits, they

“held up” Peterson and threw him two sacks of loot that looked

suspiciously like a gag gift of toilet paper rolls. Then they yelled

for him to unroll them. To his surprise, $400 in $10 bills was pinned

inside, with a photo of one of his students taped over Alexander

Hamilton on each bill.

Peterson’s wife, Brenda, who also attended the ceremony, was

overwhelmed. She said their time at Harbor View was a blessing and

that it was difficult to leave all the wonderful people at the

school. Ben, Peterson’s 9-year-old son, said he wasn’t sure he was

ready to move away from his friends but that he was looking forward

to building paintball forts with his dad in Wyoming.

Camille Hostetler, president of Harbor View’s Parent Faculty

Organization, said she wasn’t sure how they could top the

celebration.

“Oh, I do not even want to think about it,” said Hostetler, who

helped plan the event. “This is a unique situation. Our teachers

usually do not leave; they retire. Hopefully, we never lose another

one. They are all great.”