Amanda Morgan was speechless.
“Me? Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine hearing my name being called,” she said.
Morgan, who teaches third-grade ELA and social studies at Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School was recently named the Elementary School Teacher of the Year by St. Charles Parish Public Schools.
Morgan has spent 13 years as an educator in St. Charles Parish, teaching first, second, third and fourth graders at multiple schools across the district. She resides in Norco with her husband, Jeremy, and their three boys Jackson, Blake and Tyler.
Morgan called her award the highlight of her year.
“Being recognized by my colleagues and faculty is such an honor,” she said. “To be recognized by my entire district and community means the world to me. Having my family there with me to celebrate such an amazing accomplishment was such a special moment.”
When Morgan arrived at school Friday following the award ceremony, her classroom and hallway were decorated in colorful streamers and balloons. Banners covered the walls congratulating her and the entire faculty wore “Mickey Ears” for the day to show their support.
He students also were decked out in Disney gear.
“I get to do what I love each and every day because of them,” Morgan said. “They are the true stars!”
Morgan has always enjoyed social organizing and sharing her creative passions with others, and while conducting new hire orientation for the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Fla. she realized her true passion for teaching others.
“I decided to move back home to Louisiana, went back to school to earn my Masters in Education, and began my teaching career here in St. Charles Parish,” she said. “As a third grade teacher, I love being able to still share a little bit of Disney magic in my classroom with my students.”
She strives every day to bring joy to learning in her classroom and create lifelong memories for her students.
“I love having fun with my students. Playing at recess together, dressing up for silly holidays, just creating lasting memories is so magical,” she said. “I love starting my day off every morning greeting each student as they come into our classroom. Building relationships with my students, their families, and my faculty is so important to me.”
While she said that seeing her students grow as readers is amazing to behold, she really enjoys seeing them grow into kind, loving “big kids” over the years.
“With three kids of my own, we are always out at a ball field, so I try to make an effort to go see my students play the sports they love too,” she said. “Having them know how much I care about and support them all around means a lot to me.”
Morgan credited her mentor, Lorraine Delk, for the leadership and guidance that has helped her become the teacher she is today. She added that the the faculty and staff of St. Charles Parish Public Schools has become a family to her.
“I could not imagine teaching anywhere else,” she said. “Having the pleasure of working at the best school, in the best parish, is truly a dream come true!”
