Nurturing dreams and showing students what is possible is Mr. Michael Shawn Persinger. He celebrates his birthday on March 2. His family consists of his wife, Dawn, daughter, Katie, son, Shamus, step-daughters, Jana and Sara, step-sons, Cody and Justin and 16 grandkids.
He received his teaching degree at Wayne State College, Wayne, NE. He is in his 32nd year of teaching. He teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Environmental Science and Science to the 7th - 12th grade students and sometimes he teaches 6th grade PE. He also coached various sports for 38 years. Each year when he gets the new 7th graders they are surprised to find out that he used to be a professional bull rider when he was in his teens and 20's.
His favorite thing to do for excitement is camping/fishing and hunting.
Some of his favorites are:
- The color green, "I'm Irish!"
- Food is steak and french fries.
- Book is anything by Louis L'amour.
- Movie is "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
- Song is "American Pie" by Don Mclean.
- Sport is college football.
- Sports team is the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Green Bay Packers.
His greatest thing about teaching is that he loves working with the kids and the students at RV because they are great! Everyday has something new in store so it's never dull.
Mr. Persinger adds, "This is my 16th year here at River Valley and I love coming to school every day. Working in a small district like this is great. Once I learn the names of the new class at the beginning of the year I know all the students' names in the entire building. It's fun watching the students come in as 6th and 7th graders then watch them grow and mature through the years."
Mr. Persinger, thank you for all that you do!