Faculty & Staff

Headmaster

San Diego transplant, Mike Peterson became the Winston School’s third headmaster in July of 2005. He spent 24 years at The Field School in Washington, DC teaching in an innovative program that allowed students with learning differences to succeed in a mainstream college preparatory program and thrive in the arts. His chief responsibilities included supervising the curriculum and instruction at Field and hiring its outstanding faculty.

As an English and history teacher and department head, then later as a dean of faculty and associate director, Mike helped lead Field through significant institutional change, including its first accreditation, its first strategic plan, the first major school anniversary celebration and the move and expansion of its special needs educational program to a new campus.

A native of Massachusetts and a product of the public schools, Mike attended Williams College where he earned his BA in Political Science in 1981. He completed his Master’s in English and the teaching of writing at Georgetown University in 1986. Mike lives with his wife Lois, his daughter and son in San Diego.

Faculty

The faculty of The Winston School, San Diego, is composed of highly trained and experienced educators, therapists and support staff who passionately believe that every child can learn and achieve success in life. We strive to support students in reaching their goals, whether academic, artistic, personal or professional through the use of multi-sensory presentation, differentiated instruction, cross-curricular projects and specialized technology. The team of special needs learning specialists tailor their work according to what each individual student needs.

• We have something at our school that you can’t find many other places. You know us for who we are. - Ian O’Brien ’07

The educational staff is carefully chosen for their educational credentials and experience as well as for the personal touch they bring to their interactions with students of all ages. All are certified and their professional growth is a major focus of the overall culture of the school.

By special arrangement, our master teachers support interns and student teachers enrolled in the following San Diego schools: Cal State San Marcos, University of San Diego and National University.

The Winston School faculty shares personal interests with students by participating in extracurricular events, sponsoring clubs, chaperone evening cultural events and travel opportunities. Many also pursue professional careers in the arts.