A Notre Dame Career Rooted in Family

Renee’ Peters earned an important new title this school year: Grandma.

 

Her son, Michael (‘15), and daughter-in-law, Rachel, had a baby boy in November; quickly followed by her daughter, Lindsay (‘17), and son-in-law, Wade, having a baby girl in February.

 

“Our family is growing, and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to visit, help, and support our children and grandchildren,” said Peters, who is slated to retire after this school year. “If you know me, you know how important my family is to me.”

 

The Peters family moved to Cape Girardeau in 2001 for her husband Tony's job. Peters had been coaching at Richwoods High School in Peoria, Illinois, prior to the move. When longtime Notre Dame girls basketball coach Jerry Grim retired in 2007, Peters was hired for the job.

 

“Nothing like following the man they named the floor after,” she jokes.

 

Peters was also hired to teach Math, and so began a 19-year career at Notre Dame that saw a Final Four appearance in 2010, a SEMO Conference Coach of the Year award, and a Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year nod in 2017.

 

“It is hard to put into words what my time here at ND has meant to me,” she says. “When we moved to Cape, Tony and I did not know a single person, and our children were not even in kindergarten. Since that time, I cannot picture being anywhere else.”

 

 
“Renee’ has been a true asset to the Notre Dame Athletic Department,” said Notre Dame Athletic Director Jeff Graviett. “Taking over the girls basketball program from the legendary Jerry Grim was no small feat, yet under her leadership, the program never missed a beat. Her passion and dedication solidified its reputation as one of the top programs in our area.”

 

Peters says the memory that stands out most from her time at Notre Dame is one from her coaching career.

 

“Playing in the state tournament final four,” she says of the 2010 state run that resulted in second place in Class 4. “It was such an exciting time for everyone: the players, coaches, parents and student body. My daughter, Lindsay, was in fifth grade and was the team manager, and was on the bench with me. And my husband, son, parents and in-laws all made the trip to Columbia. I am [still] so proud of this team and how our girls represented Notre Dame.”

 

Graviett says that beyond the wins and losses, Peters will leave behind a “legacy of mentorship,” especially to Notre Dame’s female athletes.

 

Alex Fowler Graves (‘09) has a unique perspective on Peters’ leadership, as she played for her while a student at Notre Dame, and now teaches alongside her.

 

“I have been blessed with the opportunity to have Coach Peters in my life as my high school basketball coach, and then later as a colleague and a friend,” says Graves. “As a coach she modeled love and joy for her athletes. She has continued to do that as a teacher, being a shining example of faith and happiness to all those around her. Coach Peters was an excellent role model for me as a young athlete and then as an educator.”

 

“I love that I’ve been able to serve as a role model for many of these young women,” she says. “And, when these young people graduate, go to college, get married, start a family, and come back to tell you that you had some part in shaping them, then that becomes a very humbling and gratifying experience. I am blessed to have athletes and students who still stay in contact with me.”

 

 

Peters has taught a variety of Math courses during her time at Notre Dame, including Advanced Math, Business Math, Geometry, Honors Algebra II, Jog/Walk, Pre-Algebra and Team Sports. She has served as a junior class homeroom teacher and moderator, National Honor Society advisor, blood drive coordinator, and has been part of the Math Learning Center.

 

“I have had a lot of fun over the years working here,” she says. “Coaching, teaching, National Honor Society adviser, and Puzzle Club founder!”

 

Peters also had the unique experience of teaching and coaching at the same high school her children attended, which she says was a blessing, and a lot of fun.

 

She had her son, Michael, in class for two years, and her daughter, Lindsay, was a varsity cheerleader cheering on the sidelines while she was coaching. “My kids embraced the fact that I taught here, and were never embarrassed to be around me,” she says. “I even became a cheer mom and cross country enthusiast, hosting carb parties and making videos every year for the team. Very special.”

 

Notre Dame Principal Paul Unterreiner agrees with Graviett that her impact will be a lasting one.

 

“I had the privilege of coaching alongside her, and what stood out then is the same thing that defines her now,” says Unterreiner. “She has always been all in for Catholic education and for our students. Renee created a classroom that was welcoming, joyful, and full of life, a place where students felt known and at home. The greatest compliment I can give her is this: every single day she was in our building, she brought joy with her, and that joy will be felt at Notre Dame long after she’s gone.”

 

When asked what she’ll miss most about being at Notre Dame every day, she says it’s the faculty and students.

 

“I love the people I work with and the close relationships I’ve been able to build with many of them,” she says. “We are a family and it’s been a joy to navigate this life with many of them! And I will miss the relationships I have with my students…talking sports, discussing their plans and dreams, and showing them that math is not that hard! It’s so inspiring when they ‘get it’ and realize they can do math.

 

I’m so very proud of my time here and the relationships I have fostered. Thank you to everyone for welcoming not only me, but our family as well. You will all continue to be in my prayers. Love you all.”