Peter Shaheen: Teaching Beyond the Books

Ask Peter Shaheen about his favorite novel to teach, and his answer is unexpected.

“I like teaching kids,” he says. “I don’t like teaching books.”

That philosophy has guided Shaheen throughout nearly five decades in the classroom. While literature provided the vehicle, relationships remained at the heart of his work.

Though his five years at Marian represent only a small chapter in a remarkable 48-year career, they are years he remembers fondly because of the students and colleagues who made Marian feel like home.

Discovering the Marian difference

Shaheen’s path to Marian came after decades spent teaching English throughout metro Detroit. One Sunday evening, while browsing Marian’s website, he had an unexpected thought.

“Hey, I could work there.”

The added bonus that he could walk to work ultimately convinced him to apply, and fortunately for Marian, he did.

Although Shaheen had spent his career teaching in a variety of settings, Marian marked his first experience at an all-girls school. The transition was an easy one.

“It has always been great,” he says. “The girls are really mature. They have a handle on who they are and where they’re going.”

What stood out most to him, however, was Marian’s strong sense of purpose.

“There is a strong sense of who we are here at Marian,” he says. “There is a clear sense of mission.”

Beyond the books

While Shaheen taught a wide range of literature throughout his career, poetry holds a special place in his heart.

“I understand everything that happens to me through poetry,” he says. “You can learn everything important through poetry: about nature, about writing, about living.”

He believes students should encounter poetry early and often as a way of understanding themselves and the world around them.

“Kids should learn how to write poetry,” he says. “They should learn to ask questions and worry less about the answers.”

Throughout his career, Shaheen watched generations of students navigate changing circumstances, from the rise of social media to the lasting effects of COVID. Through it all, he has remained fascinated by the ways students adapt, grow, and challenge the adults around them.

The conversations that matter

As he prepares to retire from teaching after nearly five decades, it is the interactions with students Shaheen says he’ll miss most.

“I’m going to miss learning from these kids,” he says. “I’ll miss the private conversations.”

Those moments of connection often happened with Marian’s therapy dog, Uma, nearby.

A few years ago, when Principal Stacey Cushman was looking for a place for Uma to spend part of her day, Shaheen volunteered his classroom. Before long, the two became inseparable. Students grew accustomed to seeing Uma following him through the halls or resting on a bed in his classroom, rarely far from his side.

“She’s that kind of dog,” Shaheen says.

Looking ahead

For Shaheen, retirement will not mean slowing down. He plans to spend more time writing poetry and fiction and tending the gardens in his condominium complex.

As he reflects on nearly half a century in education, Shaheen is quick to credit the teachers, mentors, colleagues, and students who have shaped his journey.

 “I can’t compete with the brilliant minds we have here, especially the kids,” he says.

As he prepares to leave the classroom, the impact of his work will remain.

Says Cushman, “His patience, humility, kindness, and genuine care for students made an impact on everyone around him.”