2 minute read
Sue Pederson
Sue
PEDERSON
Sue Pederson realized at a young age that she wanted to work with children, especially those with special needs, and she has spent her life doing just that. “It started in high school, volunteering at a school for handicapped children,” Pederson said. Since that time, she’s devoted her energy to assisting kids, as both an educator and a volunteer. During her time in the school system, she taught first grade, special education, resource room, title and, her personal favorite, “junior first.” Junior First was a program between kindergarten and first grade for those students who were not quite ready for first grade but had completed kindergarten. Pederson said that her career in the Bozeman school system was “very gratifying.” “When your students see you years later and come up and greet you with a big smile, you know that you made an impact in their life.” Although now retired from teaching, Pederson continues to play an active role in working with the youth in the Bozeman community. “I started volunteering and being on the board of Eagle Mount in the 80s when the program first started,” she said. She’s been involved in various programs with the non-profit over the years from swimming and horseback riding to skiing. She is currently active in leading Eagle Mount’s 40th anniversary initiatives, and is proud of the work the organization does to “provide the tools for everyone to enjoy lives.” “There are so many people that need adventure in their lives and recreation,” Pederson said. “We have a community that is willing to [help] everyone enjoy the mountains and what the area around Bozeman has to offer. Pederson additionally has served as an advocate for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to help represent children in court who have been removed from their home. “It’s a wonderful program,” she said. Her volunteer efforts also include work with GVLT, Hope Lutheran Church, Thrive Family Promise, Heart of the Valley, HRDC, BYEP, Cancer Support Community, Bozeman Health, Friends of the Ellen Theater, The Help Center, Hopa Mountain, Reach and her time as a Girl Scout Leader. “We have such a wonderful community and I want to keep it that way, so I think it’s important that people do give back.”
