By SARAH PARK

Director of Special Education

Doug Pearson has traveled the world.

Before his retirement from the Air Force with 28 years of active duty, he was assigned to different bases around the world, supporting the missions of our men and women in service.

In 2012, the Colonel, as the students at DUHS fondly refer to him, moved to Dewey Lake, which was the home of his parents. He began looking at Dowagiac Schools via the district website. He was interested in volunteering or becoming a mentor; just really checking things out. And then he spotted the position of advocate.

He contacted the principal at the high school, Pieter Hoekstra, and the rest is history.

Originally his role was conceived as relationship building and advocacy for our ninth grade students, to help these incoming freshmen transition to the high school successfully.

He became that and so much more. He is their coach, their cheerleader, their mentor, their “I got your back” kind of friend. He is an ear and an advocate. He is their study partner. He works in their classrooms with them; he is there before and after school.

He provides that one-on-one contact to so many of our students, checking in with them, sharing their success and providing support along the way.

Colonel Pearson has also partnered with some of our community businesses, Saylor’s, Pizza Hut, Burger King and McDonald’s, to celebrate student achievement both academically and socially.

In my interview with Colonel, he shared that he feels that this is a very fortunate position that he is in. He is allowed to work with students, something that he wants to do, he is able to help build relationships that promote success and he believes it is a fantastic program that we have at the high school.

He considers himself lucky. I believe the students at DUHS are the lucky ones.