Mackenzie Peterson is a student teacher from Wayne State, learning to teach English with Ilene Sigman.

Peterson wants to teach because she loves interacting with people who are younger than her. She has three younger sisters whom she took care of since they were babies.

“I just like being able to help people and make connections,” Peterson said.

Linda Kramer, Peterson’s grandma, inspired her to teach from a young age. Peterson chose English because she loves to read, write and talk about books.

“Linda Kramer is a wonderful woman, and she inspired me,” Peterson said.

Peterson’s family supports her. She is close with her sisters, who are actually high schoolers too.

“They’re the same age as the students that I’m teaching,” Peterson said.

Peterson will probably teach somewhere at OPS. She said she might teach juniors. She says junior year is when you care the most.

Peterson’s stress is the same the students deal with. Peterson said it’s a lot of work, but you have to put in hard work to be happy.

“It’s just stressful because every job is stressful,” Peterson said. “There is no job without stress.”

Peterson said student teaching has been really good for her. She has made a lot of friends, and she really likes it at Bryan.

“All the students are really, really nice, and it’s fun being able to go to school events like to the craft fair,” Peterson said.