An automotive teacher at a high school in Boone, North Carolina was recently recognized as the 2024 Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year, Watauga Online reports.
Erik Mortensen is an automotive tech teacher at Watauga High School. This is the second recognition of Mortensen’s work this year, having been named Watauga County Schools district-wide Teacher of the Year back in early May.
When Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander asked Mortensen to step outside to check a deflating tire on her car this past Friday afternoon, he was surprised with an award presentation.
The event was held by the Watauga County Schools administration, Watauga County Board of Education members, Watauga High School faculty and staff, members of the North Carolina Department of Instruction (NCDPI), and local media. In attendance were special guests Shea Bolick and Kimberly Jones of the NCDPI.
As part of the presentation, Jones–who has been previously named 2023 North Carolina Teacher of the Year–shared words from Mortensen’s students, parents of his students, and his colleagues that were collected during the nomination process.
