Within the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed something different about Mr. Peggs’ classroom in the 400 hallway. His name plate is gone and a new figure can be seen standing outside his door.
This figure is Aaron Beckmann, a 2014 Timberland graduate who had been subbing in the district prior to this position. Beckmann was offered to take over the class for the rest of the year. Peggs has left Liberty to pursue a career opportunity outside of teaching, so Beckmann has filled the gap.
Beckmann is a Fontbonne University graduate with a Bachelor’s in Science, specifically Pre-Nursing, but he also has a small amount of experience with engineering and other related subjects for these classes.
“I took most of the classes in high school and college that were offered at the time. I just kind of keep them (the students) on track,” Beckmann said.
Despite Peggs being gone, the students still have plenty of work to do.
“It’s a PLTW class so it’s already laid out,” Beckmann said. “They have a pathway to follow.”
Leah Dudley (11), is a student in the Civil Engineering and Architecture class that was previously taught by Peggs.
“I miss having him as a resource to answer our questions about the assignments, but luckily PLTW courses are meant to be pretty independently taught, so we are able to navigate the class better than if the same situation happened in another class,” Dudley said.
Dudley is still able to get all of her work done even without their assigned teacher there.
The students have been well adjusted to the change as well.
“At first I was having some difficulties with getting Canvas to work, so students had a free period for a while and they enjoyed that, but now that they’ve gotten on track they seem to be pretty comfortable,” Beckmann said.
“We really like Beckmann. He allows us grace and always works to help us find answers to our questions. He’s pretty young too so he’s fun to talk to,” Dudley said.
Beckmann has aspirations to continue being a teacher, but in a different way.
“Hopefully I’ll be finding a position in the district, probably more of a science-related class,” Beckmann said.
Dudley’s favorite memory of Peggs is when doing a specific project.
“A project we did in EES my freshman year. We had to make survival packs and choose its contents, and Peggs was very encouraging of our creativity and allowed us space to experiment. Peggs was always very easy going, compassionate, and approachable, but also kept an orderly classroom,” Dudley said.
Peggs’ students thank him for the good memories that were made in his classes, and wish him good luck in his future endeavors.
