With his collection of thrift-store ties, brightly colored (and mismatched) hi-top sneakers, and his hands-on approach, Peter Stetson has taught in the Coventry Public Schools for the past 26 years. He was recognized this November not only for developing a successful environmental science class, but also for training award-winning Envirothon teams year after year.

When Superintendent Ken DiPietro described Stetson at the most recent Coventry School Committee meeting, he described his signature persona.

"Whether he’s wearing different color shoes, raising a fish, digging, or hugging a tree," DiPietro said, "Peter Stetson will have a tie that makes you wonder where he got it."

As for winning the award, Stetson said there are a lot of other teachers at the high school who do amazing things ever day.

"It was a surprise," Stetson said. "But it’s nice to get recognized for something that you do when no one is watching, for the things you do every day for kids."

Stetson developed the environmental science class in 1992 and has been building it ever since.

"We don’t spend much time in the classroom," said Patrick Jones, a junior in Stetson’s class this year. "You’re never really sitting still; you’re in the greenhouse or working with fish. He has a lot of hands-on activities."

Each year, Stetson’s students raise trout and plant lettuce and tomatoes that later become the main course at a school banquet.

"The more they can do hands-on, the better," Stetson said. "It really brings it home when they can see how things happen."

As the coach of the Envirothon team, Stetson said, he began meeting with students on his own time several years ago before the program was recognized as a school club.

Envirothon competitors become familiar with a variety of environmental issues and problem-solving and compete against teams from other school districts throughout the state, Stetson said. The 2004 team placed first and went to nationals. Last year’s team placed second and was invited to go to nationals in New York when the top Rhode Island team couldn’t attend.

Even though the next Envirothon competition isn’t until May, more than 15 students stay after school every week to practice and prepare, according to Stetson.

This week, the Envirothon club was practicing using topographical maps during its after school meeting to prepare for the next competition in May. Stetson works individually with students, helping them locate their homes on the maps and then look up soil characteristics on-line.

Pat Arrico, a student who graduated from Coventry High School last year, dropped in to help with the club while he was home for Thanksgiving break.

"Mr. Stetson is a really great adviser," said Nichole Testa, a junior who has participated in the Envirothon since she was a freshman and now leads the team. "He is always there to help and gives a lot of his own time."