Milton Magazine - Milton Academy

David A. PeckJoined the faculty in 1988Harold, “LIVE! Otherwise, yougot nothing to talk about in thelocker room,” Jane is always onthe lookout for the next adventure,the next child who needshelp. In the best of all worlds,she would be leaving us and flyingoff to Myanmar or China tohelp all the children of the world,even if her first official act mightbe hiring a life coach to take onAngelina Jolie.John Charles SmithEnglish DepartmentDavid Peck joined the facultyof Milton Academy in 1988after years of crisscrossing thecountry teaching at colleges inTexas, Ohio, Pennsylvania andFlorida. It took some convincingto lure him from the world ofhigher education but, always upfor an adventure, David took aleap of faith and joined the performingarts department and theMilton community.During his 20 years at Milton,David has taught a range ofcourses from Grade 5 Drama toAdvanced Acting, from Grade7 and Class IV to upperclassmenin Moving Image andCurrent Events/Public Speaking.Naturally curious, seeking andabsorbing new ideas, Davideagerly shares these with studentsand faculty. His Miltoncolleagues recognized David’shigh expectations, for himselfand others, and his careful attentionto the needs of individualstudents, when he received theTalbot Baker Award in 2002:You bring out the best in youractors in class and on stage.Gently, but with determination,you urge your players to raise thestakes, to take risks.To gain a window into his passion,look through David’s directing.From first read-through tofinal curtain call, he painstakinglyworks with actors to createresonating, honest performances.One graduate remarked:“I remember when David and Iwere both struggling with gettingan overall feel for a character. Hefound me at some point duringthe day and there was a glint inhis eye as he excitedly told methe phrase he’d come up with topinpoint the character’s overallobjective for the play. ‘To sit atthe head of the table!’ he toldme—all on fire and excited. Tobe honest, I thought he was alittle crazy until we dove backinto rehearsal, and looking at thecharacter through the lens hesuggested, things all started tofall in place. To this day I thinkof David’s excitement—‘To sitat the head of the table!’—and Ilook for something to make mefeel that excitement and clarityfor whatever I’m working on.”As chair of the performing artsdepartment, David has been apowerful voice representing thedepartment to the broader community.Within the departmenthe leads more quietly—trustinghis colleagues to make goodchoices and supporting theirefforts to set and meet high standards.Closing each conversationwith “Take care,” he espousesLao Tzu’s description:“A leader is best when peoplebarely know he exists, when hiswork is done, his aim fulfilled,they will say: we did it ourselves.”David, as you journey on to yournext adventure, know that youhave had a profound effect onmany lives. Our hope is thatwhether in Beijing, Kentucky,Maine, or wherever your road oryour motorcycle may lead, thatyou continue to raise the stakes,maintain your excitement andclarity, and continue to shareyour voice in bold and tenderways. As the next act in the magnumopus of your life begins,look back on your time at Miltonwith happiness and pride knowingthat you have truly made adifference. And remember thatyou will always have a seat at ourtable.Your time has come to shine.All your dreams are on their way.See how they shine.If you need a friendI’m sailing right behind.Take care.Peter ParisiPerforming Arts DepartmentDavid Peck and the cast of The Tempest, 2005Milton Magazine 77