Sheila Peterson has taught for 22 years and currently teaches peer-to-peer and physical education at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck, North Dakota. Peterson graduated from Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, with a Bachelor of Arts in education in 2000 and a master’s degree in technology for education and training from the University of South Dakota in 2006.

Peterson has worked in a variety of roles throughout her career, including teaching physical education, life skills, reading strategies and English and serving as a professional development trainer for teachers across the state. While working for Bismarck Public Schools, she has been a member of multi-tiered systems of supports team for seven years and has been a guiding coalition member for middle school physical educators for the past 10 years. She has also served on the North Dakota Society of Health and Physical Educators board for the past two years.

Peterson was named Wachter Middle School teacher of the year in 2013 and the North Dakota Middle School Physical Educator of the Year in 2017. Peterson believes learning through experience and facilitating learning based on student interest is essential to learning. As a teacher, Peterson aspires to keep students on their toes and curious about what the next lesson will bring. She strongly believes in the importance of supported leaps and being a catalyst for change and innovation.