I always love finding out that young people are learning about the Beatles in school, and I’ve had the pleasure of welcoming children and school groups to St Peter’s to visit the historic site where the Beatles began!

Back in 2016, Rick G — known to many Beatles fans for his Fans on the Run group, and a good friend of both me and St Peter’s — told me about his sister’s class in Tennessee who were learning about the Beatles. Obviously it was a bit too far for a field trip but, thanks to a generous donation, I was able to send a little piece of St Peter’s to them!

I am so grateful to Mrs Vaughn for sending me photos of her class with the items from St Peter’s, and for getting all necessary permissions so that I could share the photos. Seeing their smiles made my day and is a lovely reminder of the joy and love that the Beatles represent!

There is an update to this story, though!  In 2022, Mrs Vaughn contacted me again.  The teddy bear – Merseybeat Pete – has been adopted as the class mascot and Mrs Vaughn told me that he proudly sits in her classroom. She added, “I love when my students ask about the sweet teddy bear that watches over our class from the shelf! That occurred just this morning and they are all doing Beatles research right now!”

I think that teachers are wonderful because they make a real difference in the world and these stories certainly made a difference for me. Thank you Mrs Vaughn, and thanks to your wonderful students too!