MONROE - It was Spiderman who said that great power comes with great responsibility. Those are words Joe Peters keeps in mind as the superhero fan leads St. Victor School as its principal for the past 16 years.
Peters is drawn to superheroes - characters he's loved since his youth - because of the concept of good over evil. But one superhero in particular has become a favorite: Captain America, who started out scrappy but was called to serve and became a strong leader, is someone he can most certainly relate to.
"He wasn't my favorite growing up but now he's my favorite - the kids will all tell you that," Peters said.
He was born in Waterloo, Iowa, as the youngest of six children. Peters is the third educator in his family and the second principal. He says he was raised by parents who were service-oriented and adored people, likely forced to be involved because of their outgoing children.
Church was always important, and they received Catholic educations. Peters attended elementary school at both Sacred Heart and Saint Edward. He was an active, social student enjoying theater, sports and his church youth group at Columbus Catholic High School.
He was one of four Peters siblings to work at the local movie theater, which was the start of his affinity for films. He says he learned the value of hard work with a few other jobs as well, including the grueling work of detasseling corn in the hot Iowa summers.
After graduation in 1987, Peters says he knew he would continue in his faith. At first, he considered youth ministry and teaching secondary theology. He attended Loras College, a small Catholic college in Dubuque, Iowa, and during his first observation field experience there, Peters says his career decision was quickly made. He was in an elementary school for six weeks and says he knew immediately it was right where he wanted to be.
Peters was very involved at Loras and took part in the all-sports camp, which allowed him to continue in athletics with Christian values. He has wonderful memories of his time there.
"That reinforced me wanting to work with kids and see them grow in a way beyond academics," Peters said.
He graduated from Loras in 1991 and landed a job at St. Columbkille in Dubuque teaching third through sixth grades. After seven years, he moved to Resurrection Elementary in Dubuque. Aside from teaching full time and coaching several sports, Peters was also working toward his master's degree for elementary administration.
"I loved the classroom and teaching, but I felt called to leadership," he said.
Peters earned his master's degree in 2000 and began applying for jobs. He was turned down for a position in Platteville but says the superintendent called him and encouraged him to try Monroe, thinking it would be a good fit.
"I'd never been to Monroe in my life," Peters said. "I came, I had a great interview and took the job."
Peters said he planned to keep the job for two years, and then return to Dubuque to be close to family and friends again.
That was 16 years ago.
"It's been amazing. I love Monroe. I work with incredible people who are so dedicated to what we do every day for not many benefits and not a great amount of pay," he said. "Our kids, parents and families believe in what we're doing. I admire their commitment and sacrifice."
The 108 students who surround him are very much his pride and joy. But it's also the parents who make things worthwhile - Peters says they never seem to mind the school asking so much from them.
"When all of that is behind you, how can you not love it?" he said.
The school celebrated 100 years in Monroe this year, and Peters says that alone is a testament to what St. Victor School offers to local youth.
Support from the Monroe school district administration team and other organizations in Monroe is a big compliment to him. He says he has felt wholeheartedly welcomed and loved since he came.
Although he has missed family and friends, he's glad to visit often and feels his family is inside the walls of the school. Right next door is his home, a place he chose to move after being in Monroe just a few years.
He misses coaching and teaching but says the best part of his day is taking over recess duty at lunchtime.
"That guarantees me my interaction with those kids," he said. "Their energy keeps you young and happy. It's special."
Finding connections in Monroe has never been an issue. Peters was involved with the Monroe Theatre Guild, acting and serving on the board during its capital campaign. Although he's stepped away, he says someday he hopes to find his way back. He enjoys theater greatly and is a season subscriber at Timber Lake Playhouse.
As St. Victor prepared for its 100-year celebration, Peters says he was approached by a teacher wanting to do a color run, and he reluctantly agreed and began running. He found great joy in it, unwinding and relaxing while looking at the beauty in Monroe, and is still keeping up the regime. He also loves attending Badger games and has begun gardening. He shares an additional garden on his property with the school, and the children plant, grow, harvest and eat from it.
"I love watching things grow," Peters laughed. "Which is what education is. The beauty that's created reminds you of the fact that life is pretty good. Pretty amazing."
The elementary school principal can often be found enjoying sweet treats brought in specifically for him, a love everyone seems to be aware of. When he does get time off, he loves to travel, leaving the country or just visiting family to see the beauty out there, he said.
There's one person, other than Captain America, that Peters looks to and sees as a spiritual guide. The late Father Mike Klarer, his predecessor, is a big part of the reason Peters is still in Monroe, he said. On his morning run, he always makes a point to pass his grave to say hello.
"We do our best to help with the gifts we're given," he said. "We can all be superheroes."
And, surrounded by superhero pictures in his office at St. Vic's - Peters says along with their special powers, they also represent the diversity that surrounds each of us.
"I look at my own power as the positive approach to live," he said. "Great people. Good morning. That's our superpower."
Peters is drawn to superheroes - characters he's loved since his youth - because of the concept of good over evil. But one superhero in particular has become a favorite: Captain America, who started out scrappy but was called to serve and became a strong leader, is someone he can most certainly relate to.
"He wasn't my favorite growing up but now he's my favorite - the kids will all tell you that," Peters said.
He was born in Waterloo, Iowa, as the youngest of six children. Peters is the third educator in his family and the second principal. He says he was raised by parents who were service-oriented and adored people, likely forced to be involved because of their outgoing children.
Church was always important, and they received Catholic educations. Peters attended elementary school at both Sacred Heart and Saint Edward. He was an active, social student enjoying theater, sports and his church youth group at Columbus Catholic High School.
He was one of four Peters siblings to work at the local movie theater, which was the start of his affinity for films. He says he learned the value of hard work with a few other jobs as well, including the grueling work of detasseling corn in the hot Iowa summers.
After graduation in 1987, Peters says he knew he would continue in his faith. At first, he considered youth ministry and teaching secondary theology. He attended Loras College, a small Catholic college in Dubuque, Iowa, and during his first observation field experience there, Peters says his career decision was quickly made. He was in an elementary school for six weeks and says he knew immediately it was right where he wanted to be.
Peters was very involved at Loras and took part in the all-sports camp, which allowed him to continue in athletics with Christian values. He has wonderful memories of his time there.
"That reinforced me wanting to work with kids and see them grow in a way beyond academics," Peters said.
He graduated from Loras in 1991 and landed a job at St. Columbkille in Dubuque teaching third through sixth grades. After seven years, he moved to Resurrection Elementary in Dubuque. Aside from teaching full time and coaching several sports, Peters was also working toward his master's degree for elementary administration.
"I loved the classroom and teaching, but I felt called to leadership," he said.
Peters earned his master's degree in 2000 and began applying for jobs. He was turned down for a position in Platteville but says the superintendent called him and encouraged him to try Monroe, thinking it would be a good fit.
"I'd never been to Monroe in my life," Peters said. "I came, I had a great interview and took the job."
Peters said he planned to keep the job for two years, and then return to Dubuque to be close to family and friends again.
That was 16 years ago.
"It's been amazing. I love Monroe. I work with incredible people who are so dedicated to what we do every day for not many benefits and not a great amount of pay," he said. "Our kids, parents and families believe in what we're doing. I admire their commitment and sacrifice."
The 108 students who surround him are very much his pride and joy. But it's also the parents who make things worthwhile - Peters says they never seem to mind the school asking so much from them.
"When all of that is behind you, how can you not love it?" he said.
The school celebrated 100 years in Monroe this year, and Peters says that alone is a testament to what St. Victor School offers to local youth.
Support from the Monroe school district administration team and other organizations in Monroe is a big compliment to him. He says he has felt wholeheartedly welcomed and loved since he came.
Although he has missed family and friends, he's glad to visit often and feels his family is inside the walls of the school. Right next door is his home, a place he chose to move after being in Monroe just a few years.
He misses coaching and teaching but says the best part of his day is taking over recess duty at lunchtime.
"That guarantees me my interaction with those kids," he said. "Their energy keeps you young and happy. It's special."
Finding connections in Monroe has never been an issue. Peters was involved with the Monroe Theatre Guild, acting and serving on the board during its capital campaign. Although he's stepped away, he says someday he hopes to find his way back. He enjoys theater greatly and is a season subscriber at Timber Lake Playhouse.
As St. Victor prepared for its 100-year celebration, Peters says he was approached by a teacher wanting to do a color run, and he reluctantly agreed and began running. He found great joy in it, unwinding and relaxing while looking at the beauty in Monroe, and is still keeping up the regime. He also loves attending Badger games and has begun gardening. He shares an additional garden on his property with the school, and the children plant, grow, harvest and eat from it.
"I love watching things grow," Peters laughed. "Which is what education is. The beauty that's created reminds you of the fact that life is pretty good. Pretty amazing."
The elementary school principal can often be found enjoying sweet treats brought in specifically for him, a love everyone seems to be aware of. When he does get time off, he loves to travel, leaving the country or just visiting family to see the beauty out there, he said.
There's one person, other than Captain America, that Peters looks to and sees as a spiritual guide. The late Father Mike Klarer, his predecessor, is a big part of the reason Peters is still in Monroe, he said. On his morning run, he always makes a point to pass his grave to say hello.
"We do our best to help with the gifts we're given," he said. "We can all be superheroes."
And, surrounded by superhero pictures in his office at St. Vic's - Peters says along with their special powers, they also represent the diversity that surrounds each of us.
"I look at my own power as the positive approach to live," he said. "Great people. Good morning. That's our superpower."