A good teacher is one who teaches academics but also serves as a role model to his and her students. By teaching and mentoring, a teacher can inspire his or her students academically and socially inside and outside the classroom. Neal Peckham, a retired teacher from the North Haven school system, spent his career doing just that, and now during his retirement years he continues to work with students and inspire them to give back to the community they live in.

“I was a teacher at the North Haven Middle School for many years and even though I am retired, I still am involved with the school by volunteering my time to coordinate and supervise an after school program,” Peckham said. “It’s like I never left, and I’m glad I can continue my connection to teaching and working with the students.”

Peckham was a media specialist and technology teacher at the middle school for several years. He also taught computers at in-service workshops for North Haven teachers and served as coordinator for an after school program called The Courtyard Caretakers. The Courtyard Caretakers is a program in which students from the middle school, under Peckham’s supervision, are responsible for maintaining the inner courtyards and greenhouses located at the school. They also take care of the flower boxes on the window sills of the post office that Peckham built from wood.

“I love to garden,” said Peckham. “ Since I was in grammar school, my mother got me involved in gardening. In the fall she would have me pick the morning glory seeds from the flowers that grew on the fence and in the spring we would replant them. I owe my passion for gardening to my mother.”

He is also a member of the North Haven Garden Club, a master gardener mentor, and a community volunteer. As a member of the garden club, he keeps busy by helping out in various civic projects and events sponsored by the club. Peckham also gives advice on gardening that is valued by his fellow green thumb club members.

“Neal is a fantastic member who is always there when you need him,” said Dolly Chagnon, president of the garden club. “He’s devoted to helping his students and he puts his all into whatever he does, and his love for life and nature shows in his work.”

Peckham works with the students once or twice a week after school. Some students come and go and then return weeks later while some attend almost every week. The program is open to all students who have an interest in nature and gardening, and making their community look beautiful. The students learn from Peckham how to grow and nurture flowers and plants not only in the middle school courtyards but also in their own backyards. They are also involved in landscaping and the process of planting and replanting.

He and his students have planted oak trees, rose gardens, and memorial gardens. They sell plants at the annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale and at school concerts to fund the program.

“The Courtyard Caretakers’ program has between 40 to 50 students,” said Peckham. “All the proceeds from our fundraisers go to finance the program. The students are hard workers and devoted to their work.”

Ellie Tessmer, a retired special education teacher from the North Haven school system, has had the pleasure of working with Peckham on civic projects and they are both members of the gardening club. She first met him at an in-service for teachers that he was hosting, and then later at the North Haven Garden Club.

“Neal is open and willing to help. He gives back in everything he does and has a great love for gardening that he shares with everyone especially his students,” Tessmer said. “He also has a great sense of humor.”

Tessmer further explained that Peckham has hosted an open house to the public to see his gardens as a fund raiser for the gardening club. She and Neal have also made bird houses for the Blue Bird Trail at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford.

Peckham’s involvement in an outreach program, in which he serves as a master gardening mentor, has been beneficial to not only students but also adults of all ages. The program that Peckham mentors involves a person taking classes on gardening from January to April and then he or she has to complete 30 hours of outreach work in the community. The outreach work is working with the public, doing various civic projects, and working in the office answering questions that people may have concerning gardening and planting.

“Mary Quinlin, a retired teacher from East Haven, was in the master gardener mentor program under my supervision,” said Peckham. “She is currently helping me once a week with the Courtyard Caretakers. I am pleased and grateful for her assistance.”

Peckham resides in North Haven with his wife Maureen. During his leisure, he spends time with his grandchildren and is a huge fan of the UConn women’s basketball team. He faithfully watches the games on television, and when he can attends the games with family and friends.

Peckham has made a career of educating students, but also showing them through example how to care for nature, cultivate friendships, and be productive citizens by participating in civic projects, reaching out to others, and having an appreciation for making their community look beautiful.

“I enjoy working with the youth of our community and giving back to a town that has been good to me,” Peckham said. “Children are our future, teach them well, and let them lead the way. And my way to do this is through gardening and volunteering.”