Peeples strives to give her students a sense of belonging. She wants them to know she is invested in their lives and in their futures. So much so. that she has had to help refugee parents who wanted their children to work rather than go to school understand the importance of education. In addition to serving as the chair of her English department. she is a mentor and instructional coach for other teachers at her school. As she travels the nation over the next year. she plans to emphasize effective teaching methods for students in poverty or facing extreme challenges.