E L IS E M OT T
26 YEARS
Elise Mott
Social studies teacher and service learning coordinator moves on after 26 years at Fenn N OT E V E RY O N E W H O L E A V E S F E N N
is serenaded by a colleague, in this case
to the tune of “Sweet Caroline:” “Ev-er-y day you brought us warmth and sunshine…how do we cope when missing you?”
BY LAURIE O’NEILL
That’s what happened, though, when Elise Mott, who had been on the faculty for twenty-six years, was honored along with other departing community members at the traditional Balloon Dinner in June. The singer was Dave Duane, and his tribute was one of many offered to Elise, who embarked on a new challenge last fall, joining the faculty of the fledgling New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) in Marlborough, MA. NEIA offers a custom curriculum informed by research at MIT’s Integrated Design and Management program and is built around the International Baccalaureate curric-
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ulum. Elise is teaching humanities and directing the service learning program. Elise taught every grade of social studies at Fenn and served as co-head of the academic program for a year with colleague Tricia McCarthy. She served as chair of the social studies department, advisor to seventh and eighth graders, and director of the service learning program, and coached tennis, cross-country, and track and field. Elise “puts her whole heart into teaching, says Tricia. “She is the consummate educator, always looking for ways to move her students forward.”
