3 minute read
Meet Mark Mortensen, Peck's Upper School Woodworking Teacher
After 32 years at The Peck School, there are parts of Mark Mortensen all over the campus.
From award plaques to a window bench in Lindenwold; from kits for MiniMester to a wooden step stool used to reach the podium microphone; from the new Peck Post mailbox and all manner of other custom-made pieces, Mortensen feels proud that when his time comes to retire, he’s leaving quite the visible legacy on campus!
What initially drew him to Peck was the caliber of the facilities and the uniqueness of a having a woodworking program in a K-8 school.
What has kept him for 32 years is his love for the school, its family-like atmosphere, its well-rounded program, and its size.
Mortensen says that part of the charm of a small school is that he can really get to know his students well and meet each where they are in their skill set and interest in woodworking.
He views himself as a guide: setting up projects not only to teach students the desired skills of woodworking, but also to foster those “a-ha” moments and a discovery of the artistry and creativity inherent in each project.
Take the traditional wooden clocks in seventh grade: what starts with a solid block of wood not only allows students to express themselves creatively but also to learn the saber saw and how to shape and carve with rasps, files, chisels, and routers.
“A project like this can really transcend the utilitarian aspect of a functioning clock to the creation of a piece of art,” he said.
“When a child holds their creation in their hands, whether intended to be artistic or not—when they have that great satisfaction of having made something, that is such a joyful moment.”
Mark Mortensen teaches Woodworking to grades 5-8 at The Peck School, and serves as a Student Advisor for fifth grade.
Part of teaching is being a little bit of an entertainer, and I love getting the kids jazzed up— really fired up about something. There’s something about surrounding yourself with kids and their love of learning that just makes for a great day.
Having overseen Peck's woodworking program for grades 3-8 for more than 30 years, Mortensen is a leader in the field of arts education. Over the years he has led professional development for art teachers in the NJ/NYC area, served on a number of leadership-level school committees, and has led school's K-8 arts program as Department Chair.
Continually looking to innovate the school's woodworking program, he has introduced a number of curricular enhancements including multidisciplinary programming, laser cutting, and student-led projects.
He is an avid outdoorsman and former "Mr. Fixit" volunteer providing home maintenance and repair service to the elderly.
In 2016, Mortensen received the school's Disciplina ad Vivendum Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Mortensen holds a BS in Industrial Arts Education from the University of Maine and an MEd from Utah State University.
The Peck School is a K-8, co-ed, independent school in Morristown, NJ. www.peckschool.org
We set the standard for excellence in K-8 education, where academic preparation and character development intersect powerfully in the learning experience. By embedding consideration of others, service, and belonging in all that we do, we are designing an integrated approach to education that develops curious and disciplined learners who positively shape the world.
