Miss Morris, Marion County rookie teacher of the year, credits paraprofessional pathway and student-centered classroom

Miss Morris, the rookie teacher of the year for Marion County Public Schools, described how she moved from classroom paraprofessional to full-time teacher and outlined her student-centered approach during a recorded segment on the Stanton Weresdale program.

Miss Morris said Marion County shaped her path into education and credited district staff for encouraging her. "I have Marion County to thank for where I am today," she said, adding that she attended Harborview, Lake Worth Middle and Lake Worth High School and later completed a K-6 elementary education degree. She told the interviewer she began her career "as a paraprofessional, seven years ago" and also worked as a homeschool liaison before earning her teaching credential.

The segment highlighted the classroom methods Miss Morris uses to support students. "I really try to foster a welcoming classroom environment," she said, describing flexible seating, abundant visuals and quick adaptation when lessons do not work as planned. She emphasized responsiveness to students’ needs: "If it is working for them, then that is where I need to be at." The teacher also described time-management and the need to "be flexible and pivot" as one of the bigger surprises of her second year in the classroom.

Miss Morris runs an after‑school video production program associated with the 21st Century program and said it gives students more ways to share knowledge. She described a student project that will be "a documentary" about rocks the student collected. She also described classroom routines that encourage informal learning, including a classroom tank with jellyfish and fish she identified by name and a daily "fun fact" to prompt student contributions.

The interviewer asked what advice Miss Morris would give instructional support staff considering certification. "Don't be afraid to go for it," she said, explaining that paraprofessionals know students well but that teaching lets her see regular, measurable gains — "their little smiles when they make a gain on a test or they finally are able to read a word" — and that those moments are deeply rewarding.

Miss Morris described her aim to reach more students over time and to continue growing within the district: "I'm in my second year of teaching, and I love it. It's truly my passion and what I want to do, and I just want to work my way up in the school system and make as much of an impact as I can on as many children as I can." The segment closed with the host thanking her for the visit and taking photos in the classroom.

Details such as specific school addresses, the name of Miss Morris’s employing school, and the broadcast date of the Stanton Weresdale segment were not specified in the recording.