May 28, 2008
Clark University recognizes the late Peter Arthur with the Outstanding Secondary Educator Award
The late Peter G. Arthur was recognized with this year's Outstanding Secondary Educator Award from the Clark University Alumni Association on Sunday, May 18. The award recognizes secondary-school teachers for the critical role they play in preparing students for higher education. It is presented at Honors Convocation, held just prior to Commencement every year. Peter's mother, Cecilia Arthur, and Peter Anderson, principal of Andover High School, accepted the award on Peter's behalf.
Arthur died of a heart attack on February 4, 2006. He was 32. He left behind his wife Jennifer and son Jeffrey, who recently turned four. He taught social studies at Andover High School and coached soccer there and baseball at Westford Academy.
Laura E. Berger, of Andover, a former student of Arthur's who is now a senior at Clark University, nominated him for the Outstanding Secondary Educator Award. Berger wrote, "Mr. Arthur was by far one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. He was the kind of teacher you looked forward to seeing and the one you came back to visit once you had gone off to college. Mr. Arthur had a passion for teaching; he really loved what he was doing. I'll never forget his ability to make everything so interesting."
Berger has fond memories of the songs Arthur sang to his World Civilization class filled with freshmen, and his dedication to helping make Andover High School a better place through the Small Schools Committee.
"When I was in his psychology class junior year, Mr. Arthur told us to hold on to our binders and bring them to college, they would come in handy… [he] was right," she said. "Mr. Arthur was not only a great teacher, but also a great friend. He cared about each and every one of his students and was always willing to lend an ear."
Berger said that it was Arthur who inspired her to be the person she is today.
"He encouraged me to follow my interests and to never give up," said Berger. "I hope that as I continue to study to become a teacher, that I can take all that I learned from him with me, and that one day I can share that wisdom with my own students."
Berger will receive her bachelor of arts degree on Sunday, May 18. She plans to pursue a master's degree through Clark's Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program.
Arthur's widow, Jennifer says she was touched when she learned Peter was selected for the award. "I was honored to hear that his former students remember him for his dedication to them and for his teaching."
"Peter was selected as this year's recipient because his passion for teaching and the positive impact he has had on the lives of others exemplify the best that education has to offer," said Richard E. Caswell '89, president of the Alumni Association.
This is the 24th year that Clark's Alumni Association has presented the Outstanding Secondary Educator Award. Clark seniors nominate their high-school teachers for the award and then discuss the nominees with a committee of Alumni Association members.