2012 Teacher of the Year
Mr. Peter Policke

Mr. Policke is a homegrown product of the Volusia County School system. He attended George Marks (K-6), Southwestern 7th Grade Center, DeLand Junior High (8-9, now known as DeLand Middle School), and DeLand High School (10-12). As a Bulldog, Mr. Policke was on the Varsity Wrestling team (under Coach Casey) and a member of the National Honor Society.

After graduating from DeLand in 1990, Mr. Policke attended Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Physics (with a minor in Theology along with his teaching certification), and also a Master of Arts in Education. Mr. Policke moved back home to begin his teaching career at Silver Sands Middle School (8th grade math), and then was brought over by Mr. Moyer to help start the Engineering Academy at DeLand High School in 1998. Mr. Policke taught the applied physics program for the Engineering Academy, and also coached wrestling with Coach Kelly. He earned an Education Specialist degree from Stetson University. In 2004, Mr. Policke was called to be an assistant principal at Deltona High School, and also served as assistant principal at Hickory High School. After a year in North Carolina, Mr. Policke moved back to DeLand and has been teaching Engineering Technology for the Engineering Academy since. Mr. Policke also serves DeLand High School as the Department Chair for our Career and Technical Education Department along with being co-sponsor with Mrs. Linden for our Engineering Academy club, Epsilon Alpha Chi.

Mr. Policke is an avid Dolphins fan – ever since the late Dave Woodley was quarterback, before Dan Marino. His wife is a 2nd grade teacher at Manatee Cove Elementary School in Orange City. They have one daughter and two sons. Mr. Policke enjoys time with his family, traveling, camping and outdoor adventures, the beach, and watching old black and white movies and TV shows, especially westerns.