Peter W. Riffle

The Cloud Chaser is a grass-roots approach to teaching children with a learning disability. Peter is a learning-disabled person himself with more than 37 years of experience in the classroom.

 
The Cloud Chaser
"Teach with your heart; your subject matter will take care of itself." ~ Peter W. Riffle

Peter W. Riffle has spent more than thirty-seven years in the classroom as a special education teacher. He is a nationally recognized educator - the 2000 Disney American Teacher Award Honoree for Special Education, a 2006 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, and the 2005 V.F.W. National Teacher of the Year. But more than that, he is also a learning-disabled person. He knows firsthand what it's like to be challenged on both sides of the desk. His new book, The Cloud Chaser, presents a "grass roots" approach for teachers of learning-disabled students and for parents of special-needs kids.

Forward
The Cloud Chaser brings together stories of real students and their challenges and accomplishments, teaching tips that have been tested and perfected, and Riffle's self-reflections on his personal learning disabilities and how he has overcome those obstacles... (Read more)

Kim's Story
This memorable teaching incident confirmed for me the undeniable link between self-confidence and learning. In the late seventies I had a tall young woman named Kim in my tenth-grade English class. Every Friday I would give a twenty-question, matching vocabulary test... (Read more)

Motivational Speaking
"It is my professional opinion that Pete will be the highlight of any function he attends. He has the personality to carry any situation in which he may find himself, and he has never met a stranger." - Dr. C. Jay Hertzog, Dean, Slippery Rock University ... (Find out more / Invite Peter to speak)

Learn More about Peter Riffle
Peter's resume and list of accomplishments have now been posted online. (Learn more about Peter)

"Mr. Riffle was our daughter Mindy's cloud chaser. He could brighten her darkest moments."
~ Mindy's Mother
"Without Mr. Riffle's help, our son Edward would never have graduated from high school. He is a teacher to be commended and looked up to. He is ourstanding in his field."
~ Edward's Mother
"Rarely does a school administrator meet a teacher who is genuinely a one-of-a-kind educator and essentially irreplaceable. I've been fortunate in meeting someone who meets these criteria. He is Mr. Peter Riffle, an extraordinary special education teacher."
~ Dr. Gerald Achenbach, Ed.D.
Site Contents Copyright © 2006 Peter W. Riffle; The Cloud Chaser
Site Design and Operational Software Copyright © 2006 The EMS Digital Technologies Group; Web Media/Software
Peter Riffle with Oprah Winfrey

Peter Riffle conversing with Oprah Winfrey after being selected as a Disney American Teacher Award Honoree

March Events
Pete will be speaking at Bloomsburg University on March 26 at 5:30 PM. Find out more on our News and Updates page.
The Cloud Chaser is now available. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book, please click the button:
Peter Riffle with John Furgess and Jo Anne Ott

Receiving the V.F.W. National Teacher of the Year Award from V.F.W. National Commander-in-Chief John Furgess and National Ladies Auxiliary President Jo Anne Ott

Peter Riffle with John Brenner

Receiving the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award from V.F.W. State Commander John Brenner