By Sara Beth Williams–
For nearly four decades, Michael Peoples has taught math at Mesa Verde High School, a career he describes as a calling. Now, he says, it’s time to “pass the torch.”
At 63, Peoples has accomplished many things throughout his 38 years of teaching, including meeting his wife at the very school he taught at, becoming the math department chair, joining the school’s security team, recently developing and teaching a new financial literacy class, and helping to launch a marathon running club at the high school years ago.
Peoples said he was not a runner in high school but began training in long-distance running later in life, thanks to a former principal and dear friend who inspired him and coached him in marathon running.
When he began to pursue long-distance running, Peoples decided to start running to school. Several times a week for the last 20 years, Peoples runs from his home in Orangevale to Mesa Verde in Citrus Heights, which he says takes about an hour and 20 minutes. One of the things he enjoys is waving to every single car that passes, which he says amounts to at least 200 waves every morning.
“I have car friends; cars honk at me,” he said.
The marathon club had over 200 students who ran a full marathon, Peoples said.
Over the last two decades, Peoples said he has personally completed 140 marathons, including the Boston Marathon twice and the California International Marathon, which takes place along Fair Oaks Boulevard, 22 times.
But his most favorite memories, he said, are having been able to teach his own two boys through their high school years at Mesa Verde. He said he thought it would be weird, but it wasn’t. His boys even ran to school with him on occasion when they attended.
“It was the memory of a lifetime,” he said.
For Peoples, teaching math has never been a job but “a purpose and a calling.” In teaching math, Peoples says he focuses on the application of mathematics to the real world.
“Every single day there are economic issues that come up, and we have conversations about current financial topics,” Peoples said, adding that the challenge has always been to convince students that whatever time and effort they put in to learning will apply to their lives as they grow.
“Untalented teachers teach by force and by threat. Talented teachers persuade and convince students that it’s in their best interest to learn,” Peoples said. “I believe in what I teach.”
Recently, following guidelines from new laws passed by the state legislature, Peoples developed a new financial literacy class curriculum, which helps to teach students about money and how to use it efficiently when they leave high school.
The goal of financial literacy, Peoples explained, is “convincing the kids that they don’t have to struggle in poverty, that there’s a way out.”
Financial literacy courses will soon be required for graduation, according to the new state law. Peoples said he’s the only one who has taught it so far, and it has been successful. He says students’ parents will even approach him to ask questions about money.
Now, after 38 years, Peoples said he’s ready to retire “for all the right reasons.”
“I’m overwhelmed with how much I’ve been given in this time I’ve spent here. This is my best year, and I say that every year; my fire has never been burning brighter,” Peoples said, adding that he met his wife while working at the school, and all of his best friendships have developed while working at Mesa Verde. He said he has worked under 10 principals over the last almost-four decades, and most of them are still “dear friends.”
“The school needs fresh people and new ideas; we all have an obligation to come in and do the very best we can and, at some point, leave,” Peoples said.
The couple hopes to travel more often, as their two sons now live in Colorado. Peoples said someday he wants to travel to every country in the world.
Leslie Peoples, Michael’s wife who also teaches math at Mesa Verde, still has another year before retirement, Peoples said.
