Mr. Mortensen receives the award presented in his classroom, the Auto Tech Garage, from Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Stark, and Dr. Blanton
Watauga High School Automotive teacher Erik Mortensen received the District Teacher of the Year Award during a surprise visit on May 5. He was presented the award by Superintendent Scott Elliot and other members of the Central Office for his service and impact on WHS and the community as a whole.
Recipients of the award are selected by their colleagues at each school, with the District-Wide Teacher of the Year Award being chosen through a process of visits to classrooms, interviews, and other requirements. The award is presented to the best and most accomplished teachers who have a positive effect on their community and are role models for the entire school system.
Mortensen teaches automotive classes at Watauga High School, where students spend time learning new skills and then quickly using those skills to work on real cars in the garage. For Mortensen, teaching students valuable skills and preparing them for future careers is a rewarding experience.
“I love giving students the opportunity to have a great life with a great new career,” said Mortensen.
Mortensen has had an illustrious career at WHS since he joined the staff 5 years ago. Mortensen has been a role model for the students who take his class and others around the community. He is passionate about his work and about the opportunities the class and trade can give to students.
“[I enjoy] going out into town and coming across former students that are now working as mechanics,” said Mortensen. “It's very,very cool that I was able to send them off with the info they needed to succeed.”
Mortensen's accomplishments had not gone unnoticed by both his peers and community and he was presented with the Teacher of the District award on May 9. When he received it, he said he was surprised.
“As a lateral teacher I was not the conventional choice. I didn't go to college to be [a teacher] and learned the method of teaching by trial and error,” said Mortensen.
Mortensen says his unconventional path to teaching is in part why he can connect to students.
“The hardships and struggles I lived through give me a unique perspective into the lives of our students, [giving] me a better understanding of what some of our students are going through in their own lives,” said Mortensen.
Mortensen has been an integral part of the success of countless WHS students. By receiving this award, Mortensen hopes to further positively impact students and his community.
“I am now dedicated to taking it to the next level, I hope to represent our county at the state level and I want to spread my ideas with others across the state,” said Mortensen.
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