Christopher Peck
Email: cpeck@northbeachschools.org
Where are you from?
I grew up on the East Coast! I grew up in Wethersfield, Connecticut. In 2017, I drove 3,000+ miles cross-country with my wife M'Liss (who is a Quinault tribal citizen), to start my new life in Washington! We moved to Ocean Shores in 2018 when my wife was hired to work for Quinault Indian Nation.
High school and college experience
I graduated from Wethersfield High School in 2009. After that, I went to Emerson College in Boston, MA where I studied Writing with a concentration in Fiction. I earned my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in 2013. In 2015, I earned my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Connecticut, also earning my teaching certificate with a concentration in English/Language Arts for grades 7-12.
Teaching experience
This will be my tenth year as a teacher overall, and my seventh year teaching at North Beach!
Previously, I taught 9th grade Literature, reading intervention and SAT prep at Achievement First Hartford High School in Hartford, CT for two years. When I moved to Washington, I taught P.E and Creative Writing for a semester at Summit Atlas, a combined middle/high school, in West Seattle. I started as a substitute teacher at North Beach Jr/Sr High, and was hired full-time for the 2018-19 school year! I’m incredibly proud to still be able to call myself a Hyak!
Teaching Philosophy
I hope to instill in my students a passion for storytelling, empower them to express their unique perspectives, sharpen their analytical skills as readers, writers and thinkers and foster a classroom environment where they grow to be culturally responsive, equitable, empathetic and emotionally safe.
Areas of Knowledge
I teach High School Film, 11th and 12th grade American Literature and Reading Intervention.
I have been a writer of fiction for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would act out my own original movies using my toys and perform them for my little sister. I wrote my own sports magazine in fourth grade and I wrote my first screenplay when I was in 5th grade (I wrote the sequel in sixth grade). After that, I continued to write voraciously (poems, songs, short stories, plays) and for my BFA thesis I wrote a collection of short stories called, “Why You Hate The Kid You Were.” Additionally, I was a TV and movie critic for an online publication called Blast Magazine for four years. My passions continue to be creative writing, TV and film criticism and all things related to storytelling.
Before I began my career as a teacher, I was a facilitator and trainer who traveled to different schools to conduct workshops on social justice, prejudice reduction, bullying prevention and oppression. When I started teaching, I directed my attention to specifically creating professional development for my colleagues and workshops for students as well within my district. I hope to continue that work in this district!
Coaching
This will be my fourth year as the head coach for the Junior High Football team. I'm also an assistant coach for the Varsity Girls Basketball team. It has been a great honor to coach our Hyak athletes and I take great pride in watching my athletes grow as people.
Favorite Quote
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight (2008)
“We are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all [teachers].” - Yoda, The Last Jedi (2017)
How would you describe yourself and your hobbies and interests?
Obviously, as a former critic and Film teacher, I watch a lot of movies. I have watched over 100 new-to-me movies so far this year (and 30+ TV shows). I watch movies of all genres, but I especially love science fiction, fantasy, psychological and social thrillers, satire and parody, mysteries and of course superhero movies. I’m also a big sports fan. Go Yankees (for baseball)! Go Lakers (for basketball)! And Fly Eagles Fly (for football)! I’m the proud parent of a fur baby, my cat Buffy the Mouse Slayer (that one’s for my 90s nerds). BUt most of my time is spent playing with my daughters, Amari (3) and Cosima (10 months!)