Surprise! You made the Hall of Fame
Retired teacher at Moriarty High School gets rare honor
Surprise assemblies are hard to orchestrate, but Moriarty High School succeeded when they put together a special assembly for retired MHS teacher Peggy Jackson in the school’s gym Friday morning.
Jackson is being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame along with four others from across the country.
“I love you guys!” Jackson said. “My heart is always here. I’m a Pinto ... I just want you to know that I’m overwhelmed! I don’t even know what to say.
“To be a teacher. To be inducted into the Teachers Hall of Fame and represent you and this school district is the highest honor I’ve ever had. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
She is only the second New Mexican to be inducted. Pat Graff was the first New Mexican to be inducted into the NTHF.
“As a teacher whose classroom reflects community, she loves teaching and learning,” Graff said about Jackson. “She teaches her students there are no limits and no mountains too high.”
After Graff’s introduction, a surprised Jackson entered the gym to whistles and roaring applause from the students, faculty, staff and guests in attendance.
Jackson will fly to the NTHF in Emporia, Kan., in June for her induction ceremony.
A photo plaque was presented to Moriarty-Edgewood School Superintendent Tom Sullivan to be displayed at MHS. The plaque’s twin will hang in the NTHF.
Jackson taught for 35 years, 13 of those at MHS. She was named New Mexico Teacher of the Year in 2010.