LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Betty Morgan was nominated by her colleague and former student, Shakira Caston.

Mrs. Morgan is an extraordinary teacher, a respected leader 'among her colleagues, and a kind, generous human being devoted to student success. Her science classes are challenging and demanding, but students describe her as helpful and motivating.

Mrs. Morgan has a general approach that engages students to become collaborators at all levels of instruction. She uses innovative activities in the classroom to help students engage with the material and learn critical thinking and communication skills. Her syllabi show a clear curricular plan; they have a different format requiring (and promoting) more basic skills than her advanced courses, which are clearly geared to nurturing students' intellectual independence and leadership skills. She is genuinely open to students' informed opinions and eager to grow and learn along with the students.

Students who need advice or extra assistance throughout the year are always welcome in her classroom before or after school, or during her planning period. In the words of one student, "she just cares." She will challenge you, question you, and make you reach your fullest potential. 

When you walk into Mrs. Morgan's classroom, one cannot help but notice this is a special place.  Her high standards and expectations for her students are evident throughout the instructional day.  Her actions and words transmit these key messages:  Learning is Important, You Can DO It, I Won't Give Up On You, and Effective Effort Produces Results, fostering a community of self-confident learners.

Mrs. Morgan incorporates multiple intelligences into her instructional design, which thoroughly enhances her students' abilities to build background knowledge and gain information. She is a thoughtful, purposeful scholar who applies her own knowledge and skills to help students learn.  If the necessary instructional material isn't available, she'll create it herself.

Mrs. Morgan is also highly regarded by her colleagues. She is generous and attentive in her collaboration with others.  With quiet grace and a persistent focus on students, Mrs. Morgan has helped expand learning opportunities, particularly for those who are at risk.

Mrs. Morgan is both inspiring and humbling.  In an era in where researchers seem to be more specialized and focused on their own productivity, Mrs. Morgan stands out as a very different breed. She's motivated by a genuine interest in students and powered by her creativity. She has found ways to educate the whole student, instead of only covering the relevant material.

"Having been her former student, I can attest to the fact that we all looked upon her as our mom," said Caston. "She gave us that tough love.  She was firm, but fair. Mrs. Morgan got to know our parents. She became part of our families. Even though she is retiring, she will be leaving a rich and lucrative legacy. I hope to be as phenomenal of a woman and teacher as Mrs. Morgan has been."