Music that Describes Melissa
Melissa Morgan's nominator would like to remain anonymous.
When describing Mrs. Morgan and her value to her students, two words immediately come to mind: love and dedication. Mrs. Morgan teaches ELA, reading, and science to fourth and fifth graders, but her role in the lives of her young students does not stop there. Mrs. Morgan is seen as a mentor, role model, and confidant for students from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. She constantly spends her planning period and time before and after school investing in the lives of children who need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. She uses her training and experience as a school psychologist to spot students who are struggling, and she takes it upon herself to make a connection with them and help them with whatever obstacles they are facing. Many other teachers across the district ask Mrs. Morgan to speak to their students who are facing difficulties. This is a description of a selfless individual who acts purely out of love for children, but it is compounded even more by the fact that Mrs. Morgan has done all of this while suffering through kidney failure twice and battling and defeating breast cancer. Her courage, dedication, and love definitely make her a LifeChanger in her community!
She’s strong, courageous, and selfless. She teaches her students about life & gives them the tools to excel in their education. Melissa is a hero to many but does not see herself as such. She is on a mission for God & her students. She has not let any obstacles in her health stop her in her mission. There not only needs to be more teachers like her but more importantly there needs to be more people in the world like her.
My child had the honor to be Ms. Morgan's student in 2nd, 4th and 5th grade. Ms. Morgan has shown love, grace, kindness and thoughtfulness each day in her classroom. Even on the days she was sick and did not feel well, I am certain did not feel like being at work, she still displayed these characteristics to her students.
Ms. Morgan has taught her students to put others before themselves. She has taught them that they should show kindness and respect. She leads by example in this area and is a big supporter of the community, sports team and other school groups.
Ms. Morgan instills morals and values in her students. She has character building activities each week and teaches manners in creative way. In a community that is poverty stricken and highly affected by the opioid crisis, Ms. Morgan fills in the gaps in many areas of her students' lives. She is most likely one of the few people her students can count on each day. She shows them love by purchasing essential items they need at home and gives a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. She meets students where they are academically and helps them to get back on track when they aren’t “quite there”.
Ms. Morgan is a strong, Christian and God-fearing woman who is not afraid to take a stand for what she believes in. She doesn’t force her beliefs on anyone but instead leads by example and the way she lives her life points others to Christ.
I come from a family of educators who have a passion for teaching. Ms. Morgan is one of the best in the business. She is most deserving of this award. I respectfully ask for your consideration of Ms. Melissa Morgan for the “Lifechanger of the Year” award.
Melissa is my oldest child. I have seen first hand her life challenges. FSGS (kidney disease) nor cancer were strong enough to change her life, they slowed her down some for a very short time, but not change nor define her. She is still the same smiling, kind, giving, genuine, loving, respectful person she’s always been. The main reason is because of her faith. When she was young God set her on a path to enhance the lives of children, not just her students but any and all children that need change, the children that need someone or something, she is there for them. She is a teacher, a counselor, a friend to all that she comes in contact with. Her students are her priority, her concern and her joy. Even when they advance out of her class she still keeps in touch with them to see how things are going.
Through all the health struggles during her young life she’s never asked “why me”, or complain “it’s not fair”. Her comment to me was “because God knows with him I can handle it”. “There are people going through a lot more and a lot worse than me”.
She shares her testimony to anyone that ask, and let’s them know to ask for help, guidance, shed tears, get mad, but then find your inner strength, turn to God.
She loves kids and wants them all to succeed, to be confident, to be aware of their self-worth, to not give up but try and try again if need be.
From kids to elders she treats everyone with respect and always takes time to listen and help or find a solution if needed.
She doesn’t ask nor want pity or special treatment, she just wants to make a difference, a contribution. Students and coworkers see her show up every morning at school with a smile and ready to meet the day, to have a positive impact. They know she’s only been off dialysis for an hour or two, so I believe it changes their mindset for the day. They smile back and now they are ready to begin the day.
I believe Melissa is very deserving of this award because she is a life changer to so many.
Always a smile, never despair you would never know the challenging battles she has faced while continuing to teach,kidney failure twice and breast cancer. She shows up with determination to give the day her best. She cares about her kids and always puts their needs before her own. She is loved by her students and her peers. She has taught and continues to teach my grandchildren and I am so thankful they have had the opportunity to be taught and loved by her. I’ve watched her in amazement knowing her health struggles but seeing her beautiful spirit persevere. Never a complaint, never a worried face always a smile and kind word. Wow, I wish there were more Melissa’s in this world.
Perseverance is her character. She never stops and is always wearing a smile and has good things to say about others. She is amazing, inspiring and fearless.
Melissa Morgan is a wonderful not just teacher, but coworker. My mother teaches with her and she is always willing to help and go beyond for her students and co workers! She deserves this more than anyone possibly could!
Melissa is the most loving and care individual. She kept a smile on her face With everything she has battled and still is there for all the kids who need her. She is definitely deserving of this award.
I’ve known MELISSA since she was 14 years old. I was her Principal, her Basketball Coach and now her Father In-Law. She was always a hard worker in everything she did. I’ve watched her fight
Kidney disease and cancer bravely and never complain but rather try to make sure the people
around her didn’t worry. She worked throughout her battle with cancer only missing school for a chemo treatment or radiation or doctor
appointment, always coming back to finish her school day as soon as she could. She always puts her family and school family before her own needs. I’m so proud to have her in my family.
Mrs. Morgan was one of my former teachers. She helped me through tough times which is something that I never found in my other teachers. Even though she went through breast cancer when I had her, she was still there for me when I needed her. Not only did she help me through my tough times, but she also helped me with my confidence level. When she was my teacher, I struggled to express myself and hid in a shell, but when I got to her class, she helped me with that in some of the silliest ways I have ever seen. She may not be my teacher anymore, but I still notice the great things she does for her kids. She may be from a small school, but she has a big heart, and I think that deserves an award. Whether or not she gets this award, I will still be proud of her.
Well deserved! Melissa deserves this plus more for all she overcomes and dedication to her students even through tough times.
I’m struggling to write about Melissa. I have written and deleted this multiple times. There really no way to
communicate what a blessing and inspiration she has been to our
family. Do I write how blessed I feel that she’s
my sons wife? Do I tell
how I witness how she is his “True North”. How devoted, loyal , loving
and supportive she is? Or
do I try to clearly describe the kind of mother she is to my grandson? How do I
explain how her daily living shows her love for God has shown my grandson what kind of person he should be?
And then there is her courage and faith she’s shows through fighting
the battles of cancer and
kidney failure. Do I tell
of her love of the
children at the school
where she teaches
how she worries about
them when she gets home
while she is doing
dialysis. There is no way to tell what an inspiration she is or how many lives she’s touched.
I thank God every night in my prayers for God sending her to our family.
Mrs. Morgan is a special person who Loves God her family and being a teacher. Her teaching profession goes beyond more than being a teacher, she cares about all her students and wants to help every child who is in need. She has had health issues a kidney transplant, Breast Cancer and is in need of another kidney transplant cause by her cancer though all this she never gave up. She has INSPIRED so many young and old by her dedication and not giving up.
As Melissa’s husband and superintendent I can say that she always goes the extra mile to listen to kids and make them feel good about themselves. She is definitely a life changer for our students!
Mrs. Morgan is s inspiration to all, she came to work and was there for her students through her health problems and she always listens to help the kids. She's an amazing lady and I'm glad to see her everyday at school.
Melissa has been my coworker for six years. Over these six years I have watched her incredible enthusiasm and love for her students day in and day out. They are constantly doing service projects and being taught how to be better humans, while still learning their classroom objectives in the most fun ways possible! She has gone through horrible medical situations, but I’ve never seen her skip a beat. She has never allowed cancer nor dialysis keep her away from her students. I have two sons who have been in her class. They would tell me the fun projects they would do each day or the service project they were working on outside of the classroom. Even more important than that, they would express how strong she would have to be to be able to come to school everyday and do what she does. Even at a young age, they understood that what she was doing was for her students. She truly made a difference in their lives. She is the epitome of a difference maker!
