He is innovative, rigorous, and demanding in the classroom, but in such a way the students recognize the value of his courses and respond positively. The National Science Foundation has also recognized his innovative ideas for pedagogy by funding his development of an electronic textbook in optics. In addition to his classroom teaching, Professor Peatross mentors many undergraduate students in his research laboratory, where those students also benefit from his rigor, enthusiasm, and innovation. His research expertise has been recognized with a National Science Foundation CAREER Award.