With Peder Berg

Why is school choice important to you?

School choice is important to me because of the dramatic impact I know it can have on a child’s passion for, and success with, learning.

Why did you become involved with PSO?

I was advocating within various public school systems for my two children before I even knew what advocacy was. When my son reached middle school age, we found the best learning environment for him was public virtual school. Seeing the fantastic results this change had on his success led me to get active within my state to champion for public virtual school as an option. Being part of the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families for several years eventually exposed me to the national level. My passion for parent advocacy because of the results I personally saw for my own two children has motivated me to make sure other parents have the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions for their own families.

Why should parents become advocates for their children’s education?

While it may sound cliché, as parents, we know what’s best. Even teachers who work hard to provide the best learning environment in their classroom have to do it for 25 to 50 (or more) students. There is no way they have the time, energy or resources to get to know your child the way a parent does. So, it is a parent’s role to understand how best their child learns, whether they need challenge or support, and then advocating to get that for their child. The right option is out there for every child…as parents, we just need to keep looking until we find it!

What is your favorite advocacy story?

My own.

How has access to school choice impacted your family?

Both my daughter and son have benefited from school choice in different ways, but to the same outcome. With school choice, they have been able to take advantage of opportunities that have expanded their learning journeys in ways that otherwise would not have been available.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Beyond making it to age 49 and my two childrenJ, I would say, the work I have done with the Family Enrichment Center of Ozaukee (FEC), a center for human service non-profits. As Vice President for the past 4.5 years, I have taken an active role in growing the FEC closer to their mission.

Tell us about your family.

I have been married to my wife, Laura, for 21 years. We have a daughter, Megan (19), who is currently attending The Peck School of Art at UW Milwaukee. We also have a son, Matthew (16), who is a junior at Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA). Our family pets include 3 dogs, 2 goats, and a horse.

If you were a condiment, what would it be and why?

Hot sauce.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall?

Fall.

Aisle or window seat?

Definitely aisle.

If we went into your Top 25 Most Played List, what would the top 3 be?

Anything from 80s New Age/Punk (i.e., Talking Heads).

Bonus: what is your favorite board game?

Chess.