Millburn Educator Named 'High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year'

Millburn, NJ – A Millburn educator was recently named “High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year” by the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD).

Mark Friedrich, health and physical education lead teacher at Millburn High School, will receive the honor during a NJAHPERD award banquet on Feb. 21 in Long Branch.

According to a news release, the award “recognizes teachers that conduct high quality physical education programs as reflected in the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards as well as in the SHAPE Standards for K-12 physical education programs.”

In addition, nominated teachers “utilize various teaching methodologies and plan innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all students,” while serving as “positive role models epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship and sensitivity to the needs of all students.”

According to a release, Friedrich began his professional teaching career as an elementary school physical education teacher in the South Orange/Maplewood School District in 1995. Friedrich remained in that position for eight years at South Mountain Elementary School until he accepted the challenge of starting an Adventure Education program at Millburn High School in 2004.

Friedrich has taught Health and Physical Education at Millburn High School for the past 13 years where he is primarily utilized as an Adventure Education Teacher three marking periods out of the school year, school administrators stated.

According to school officials, Friedrich has had “extensive technical skill training” and serves as a certified Challenge Course Manager for Millburn High School. Under his direction, two grants have been written over the past ten years enabling the Adventure Challenge Course to expand from six High Elements in 2005 to the current 18 High Elements in 2016.

In addition to teaching, Friedrich serves the school community as the freshmen boys lacrosse coach and as the faculty advisor for the Wounded Warrior Club. Mark’s lacrosse teams have raised over $11,000 combined the last two seasons for Breast Cancer Research.

The new award is only one that will sit on Friedrich’s shelf; in 2011, Mark was named lead teacher for the Health and Physical Education Department at Millburn High School.

Friedrich is a 1995 Graduate of Montclair State University and received his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Kean University in 2009. Currently Friedrich is completing his second master’s degree in Adventure Education from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.

Friedrich and his wife Donna met while teaching together in South Orange/Maplewood and have been married since 2001. They reside in Union Township with their three children Emma, Julia and Ryan, and their dog Jedi.

“I’m truly honored to receive this award,” Friedrich stated. “This is a very proud moment for me and for the Adventure Education Program at MHS.”

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Photo courtesy of Millburn Public Schools