Rodney Esser, known as "Mr. Peanuts," greets students in the hallway at Park Elementary School in Cross Plains.
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Antique photographs show Rodney "Peanuts" Esser's family, who used to farm the land on which Park Elementary School now sits in Cross Plains.
Rodney "Peanuts" Esser looks over an antique photograph of the land his family used to farm, which was sold to build Park Elementary School in 1964. The landowner told the school district that the land and Peanuts went together.
Handmade birthday cards fill the desk of Rodney "Peanuts" Esser, on the occasion of his 83rd birthday.
In honor of his 83rd birthday, students and staff, including teacher Nicole Kartman, right, wore flannel to school, which is what Rodney "Peanuts" Esser typically wears in the winter as Park Elementary School's custodian.
Rodney "Peanuts" Esser created a program several decades ago for students who needed extra support. He hired them for the summer, teaching the students basic mechanic skills, and at the end of the summer he helped them set up a savings account.
Rodney "Peanuts" Esser could barely make it through the hallway of Park Elementary School on his 83rd birthday, with students and staff stopping to greet him.
Fave 5: Education reporter Olivia Herken shares her favorites stories from 2022
Being back at the Wisconsin State Journal and in Madison has been a joy for me so far. And though I've only been back for a few months, that time has been filled with important stories in K-12 education.
From a busy school referendum cycle to fired principals, here are my top five stories from the year.
After weeks of trying to figure out why a Madison middle school principal was fired, he decided to tell us his side of the story.
Coming from a rural school district myself, it was interesting to dig into how relying on referendums may leave some schools behind.
Madison school custodians were on the front lines during COVID, but left out of support staff raises
Despite keeping schools safe at the peak of the pandemic, Madison custodians were left out of a $5 pay bump given to most support staff.
This was one of my first stories, and it was a warm welcome back to the community.
Cases of RSV and influenza cases have been increasing this season, mingling with COVID all at once — and hitting kids and families the hardest.
