PETERSON FOR PROGRESS Innovation, justice and equity are three values building substitute Jordan Peterson strives to support in education. BY JANE LAM
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hen faced with a storm, cattle try to outrun it. Bison, on the other hand, run towards the storm, knowing it will pass quicker that way. Building substitute Jordan Peterson says that students are like bison in a storm — they face conflict head-on. “I really do believe that youth are the hope that our country needs and adults play a vital role in
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MARCH 2, 2023
showing them that,” Peterson said. “[Young people] have been much more vocal than previous generations when it comes to injustice.” Students’ motivation to seek change sparked Peterson to create the nonprofit, Peterson & Company. The nonprofit provides educational consulting to schools and offers resources to support students and make education more equitable. Peterson’s mission to create a safe and nur-
turing environment for students stems from a young age. For most of his childhood, Peterson experienced houselessness. School was the only constant in his life and played a key role in providing stability. “Growing up, I was raised by a single father. My brothers and I were unhoused most of my childhood. School was actually a place that felt like home … So I’ve always been drawn to schools because of that,” Peterson said.