LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Melissa Morris was nominated by her colleague, Katherine Villone.

"I first met Melissa at a workshop for the National Coalition for Safe Schools, in which she is a founding member," explains Villone. "When you meet Melissa, you immediately feel like you have known her your entire life.  She is the rare combination of an excellent educator who is also an amazing person who goes above and beyond at every opportunity to listen, encourage, give, donate, volunteer, console, sympathize, empathize, and care for all whom she encounters. This award reflects the very nature of Melissa Morris as she literally transforms her students’ (and anyone she comes in contact with) lives for the better."

School is a place where children can learn and be nurtured in an emotionally safe environment. As evidenced in the numerous awards and recognitions Ms. Morris has received, it is clear she epitomizes what it means to be a truly skillful, highly dedicated, hardworking, and inspirational educator. Through her music classes, she ignites hope, stimulates the imagination, and gives her students the hope that they can achieve anything in their lives. Her classroom is an emotionally safe space in which every student has a sense of belonging and is free to express themselves without fear of criticism.

"In addition to being an empathic and inspirational educator, an area that has drawn me to work with Melissa is her passion for creating and sustaining genuine collaborative partnerships among teachers.  She believes that we cannot develop effective interventions for students without also addressing the professional development needs of the teachers who are called upon to implement these practices. Melissa is the ultimate networker; she connects supportive learning opportunities and the necessary diverse relationships for the teachers," said Villone.

Ms. Morris is co-founder of the Music Teachers for Global Peace Foundation, whose mission is to amplify peace and harmony by globally connecting with other colleagues around the country and world. She has presented at several education conferences, including the Asia Societies conferences in NYC and the National Association for Music Education Nashville Conference. She has also served as a panel member for the Global Education Forum. 

"Melissa’s initial nomination from a student 25 years ago very much echoes sentiments which speak of her commitment, empathy, caring, creativity, listening skills, generosity, and ability to make people realize they matter, which are all qualities of a LifeChanger of the Year recipient," said Villone.