ROSCOMMON – They teach, train, instruct, coach, mentor, educate, as well as cram, stuff, and “knock into someone’s head,” as the Webster dictionary describes the art of teaching. Needless to say, the latter is not “currently” allowed.
It does take a special dedication to be a teacher, someone who loves their profession, and enjoys the day-to-day interaction with colleagues and students.
Jim Perialis, or “Mr. P” as he is fondly called, is one of those humans who exemplifies that dedication and love of students and colleagues. Most days he’s like many teachers: At school by 7 a.m. and may not leave until 4 or 5 p.m., and even then, returning later to work at a sports venue.
Those times are ending however, as “Mr. P” plans his retirement from the profession.
Jim was born in Seoul, South Korea to Steve and Kyu Hui Perialis. His mom and dad met there while his dad was serving in the military. They settled in Big Rapids, Michigan in 1973, where Jim grew up and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1985.
His career choice was not always education. In fact, his father may have been a little concerned about Jim’s future after he graduated from high school. Shortly after his graduation his dad, Steve, suggested that Jim get a job.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m working on it,” was his response.
Jim’s dad said that to him one more time, and Jim gave a similar response. One day he came home, and his dad had moved Jim’s entire bedroom, clothes, and all, out on the back porch. Steve told him he had a friend on Mackinac Island who’d give him a job.
Beginning that summer until recently, Jim has spent most of his summers on the Island driving carriage. Jim considers that event one of the turning points in his life, giving it credit for helping him to become the person he is. It was while working on Mackinac Island, Jim met his future wife, Carrie.
Jim entered Michigan State University the fall of 1985, graduating 1990 with a BS degree in finance. He discovered that “sitting behind a desk in an office” was not a path he wanted to follow. He registered at Ferris, graduating with his teaching certificate in 1992. Following graduation, Perialis applied for positions in two districts.
Due to regulations … kids may not be getting all they need, or at least not the same quality … of education students did in the past
With the passing of Jim Morley, teacher at Gerrish Higgins Schools, Perialis won out over nearly 70 applicants to begin a career at Roscommon High School. He has served 30 years, teaching courses of Intro to Business/Business Law, History, Social Studies and Economics teacher, as well as Quiz Bowl Coach and mentor.
He and Carrie were married during his first year of teaching. They have three children Jordyn, Casey and Bailey. Jim and Carrie are proud grandparents of two grandchildren. Having played baseball in high school, he also served as baseball coach at Roscommon until Jordyn was born, as he “considered being a dad, a higher calling.”
Changes in education
Jim said the art of educating students has changed dramatically in recent years. Teaching has become a multiplicity of jobs. Not only must an educator impart all the nuances of a topic to students, but they must also be aware of students social and emotional needs.
Teachers need to take part in a variety of committees geared towards school improvement; help with fund raisers; serve at sporting events as timekeepers; and a host of day-to-day operations as well as continuing their own education to keep up with new concepts. They also must meet an increasing number of state and national testing requirements.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, much has changed in the way educators are required to provide information to students. Students may be face to face in the classroom or online. They need to work with a variety of programs including – Google Classroom, ZOOM and others. It is a concern of Perialis, that ”kids may not be getting all they need, or at least not the same quality” of education students did in the past because of the regulations.
Perialis expressed his frustration that students aren’t going to college to become teachers. He noted that some colleges have had to cut those departments as there have not been enough students to support that career training. Even as he prepares to retire, he noted a concern that there were only three applicants as his replacement.
Mr. ‘P’ has always been drawn to students who were “quick, witty, and challenging.” He also enjoyed coaching. It seemed a natural evolution to assistant coach of Quiz Bowl when that position opened 25 years ago.
At the time, he and then coach, Dawn Humphreys, had a team of 4-5 students who competed in the Jack Pine Conference. Competing with 5-6 teams in the conference, they “did pretty decent, always finishing in the top three positions.” With the addition of junior teams from seventh graders on, that number has increased to about 25 students.
A retirement goal is to fulfill plans for travel. Jim and Carrie have anticipated traveling to Maine and the Eastern seaboard for several years and are making plans for this fall. They will also visit Jordyn and her family in Arizona. Jim enjoys attending rock concerts and has plans to attend five this summer with Carrie and several college friends. Carrie does draw the line at hard rock music, sending him off to enjoy those concerts with his college buddies.
But being a teacher will always be in his blood. The best times were when a student would come to him and said “Mr. ‘P’ you made a difference!”
Some have said they became a lawyer or other professional because of what he taught them. He always encourages former students to that to become truly responsible adults, they need to be actively involved in their communities, and make a positive difference. He’s proud of all his students present and past, noting that two became rocket scientists, working for NASA!
So, if your carriage driver on Mackinac Island this summer looks familiar, feel free to “quiz” him! He does LOVE history!
