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Teaching is nothing new for Peachock
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Stadium Drive Elementary first-grade teacher Heidi Peachock has lived in Boardman her entire life. She is the new first-grade teacher at Stadium Drive Elementary.
Boardman’s Heidi Peachock has been teaching school most of her life. But after years in an imaginary classroom with her two younger brothers, now she’s doing the job for real as a first grade teacher at Stadium Drive Elementary.
“I had two younger brothers and I was always teaching them things and playing school,” said Peachock.
As the new first-grade teacher at Stadium Drive, Peachock said she has always aspired to be an educator. She credits her passion to teach to her grade school teachers who she looked up to while attending West Boulevard Elementary.
“Since first grade, I’ve had some amazing teachers and they were all role models for me,” she said.
After graduating from Boardman High School in 2000, Peachock obtained a Bachelor of Arts in education from Youngstown State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in reading and literacy from Walden University’s online campus.
Peachock completed her student teaching at Austintown’s Woodside Elementary and enjoys working with young students. She said first-graders are one of the most important age groups to teach.
”I’ve always enjoyed working with younger children. They are so innocent and coming into their own personality,” she said. “At this age, you are basically teaching them the foundation for the rest of their lives.”
Since this age group is so important to Peachock, she comes to class each day with a positive attitude. She wants to be a role model for her students just as her elementary teachers were role models for her.
Peachock said she teaches traditional concepts, but in non-traditional ways to help students grasp the concept better. She uses hands-on activities and creative thinking projects to keep their minds actively engaged.
“Seeing a student enjoying what they are learning and completely becoming engrossed in it is what I like the most,” she said. “I want students to enjoy learning.”
Peachock currently resides in Boardman with husband, Erik, and 16-month-old daughter, Caitlynn. Erik, who graduated from BHS in 1999, was Peachock’s high school sweetheart.
She is delighted with her position at Stadium Drive and is thankful for having a supportive principal, peers and community. She sees herself as a Boardman teacher for years to come.
“Everyone contemplates moving, but I have never had plans on moving,” Peachock said. “Boardman has always been my home and always will be.”