At the heart of Miss Morris’s journey as a teacher is a story of teamwork and connection. As Mill Creek High School’s Teacher of the Year, Miss Morris (also referred to as Miss Mo) began her path to education as the captain of a soccer team, inspired by a coach who was also a history teacher.

“I’ve always been part of a team,” Miss Mo explains. “As captain, I learned how to lead and motivate. My coach, who was also my history teacher, showed me what teaching could be. I try to model my style after him, focusing on building relationships with my students.”

One student in the classroom, Nicholas Davis, stated, “Miss Mo is a fun teacher most of the time and incorporates fun into lessons I don’t expect to enjoy.”

In the classroom, Miss Mo believes in getting to know her students first. “If I know what excites them, I can teach better,” she says. “When a student is struggling, I try to understand what’s going on in their life. Patience goes a long way.”

Miss Mo’s favorite part of teaching is the connections made each year. “Working with my colleagues and students is the best part,” she says. But there are always challenges. “Things don’t always go as planned,” Miss Mo admits, “but that’s okay. Failure helps us grow.”

One message Miss Mo hopes to leave with her students is, “Indecision is opportunity.” She learned this from Miss Wilson, another teacher, and now passes it on to her own students.

Miss Mo’s teaching is clearly recognized as a quality of learning. A couple of her students speak highly of her. Student Hailey Gregg says, “She’s strict when she needs to be but helps all of us whenever she can.”

When not teaching, Miss Mo enjoys summer breaks to rest and recharge. “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work,” she says with a smile.

Miss Mo’s dedication to understanding students and helping them grow, both academically and personally, has made a significant impact at Mill Creek. She is not just a teacher but also a mentor and a leader, guiding students with empathy and care.