Spruce Creek High School's Vonda Morris named Volusia County Schools Teacher of the Year
DAYTONA BEACH — As the Spruce Creek High School saying goes, it's a great day to be a Hawk — and an even greater day to be Vonda Morris.
Dressed in Spruce Creek orange, the Port Orange school teacher was named the 2023-24 Volusia County Schools Teacher of the Year at an annual celebration at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort Friday night.
"I'm blessed to work among outstanding educators and students," Morris told a crowd of more than 900. "As a child, when I would line up my dolls to teach them math, they never ran away, because they couldn't. However, with live beings, students, who I consider mine for 180 days or more, (they) now choose to stay."
Morris, a probability and statistics/AP statistics teacher, was selected out of 69 nominees from all schools, including five finalists. She will represent the district in the state's Teacher of the Year program.
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Morris is experienced educator who makes learning fun
"I am in education to learn as much from the students as they learn from me. I accepted the call to teach, and I love what I do," Morris said. "Every day is not easy, but to see those smiling faces, to see the sparkle in a young person's eyes at the realization that, 'I've got this,' or to be worthy enough for the students to share what excited or exasperated them from the weekend is amazing."
Morris' students and fellow teachers shared during a video that she is exceptional at engaging students, especially by teaching math through song and dance.
"This person is very kind-hearted," Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said in announcing the winner. "And this person brings honor to the profession. This teacher makes learning fun, interactive and meaningful."
Balgobin detailed that Morris is an experienced educator of over 20 years and has taught at the middle, high school and college levels. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina and master's degrees from Concordia and Stetson universities.
"This teacher is a teacher of honor and distinction, a true leader who ignites, leads, encourages and adds meaning and significance to all she encounters," Balgobin said.
During her acceptance speech, Morris took the opportunity to update the adage that says, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach."
"Those who can, do," she agreed. "However, those who can do it better with passion, pizzazz and patience, teach."
She concluded with a plea to not give up on young people, who may be trying to find their way but have "an ability to rock the world and make some waves."
Several teachers honored at celebration
The ceremony, hosted by the FUTURES Foundation, also honored the district's other four Teacher of the Year finalists:
Dodi Gaines, facilitator Cambridge AICE, Seabreeze High School.
Tamika Harvard, math coach, Westside Elementary School.
Valerie Marcus, fifth-grade teacher, DeBary Elementary School.
Cassandra Stewart, media specialist, R.J. Longstreet Elementary School.
"Supporting and recognizing teachers is at the heart of the FUTURES Foundation and the best part of what we do," President Heather Bond Vargas said of the nonprofit, which supports schools through the business community.
Balgobin also awarded three "Leading with Grace and Respect" awards:
Robin Shank, kindergarten teacher, Friendship Elementary.
Hai Chi Saber Bride, math teacher, Silver Sands Middle School.
Tara Gardner, career and technical education facilitator, Mainland High School.
"I've had the honor of visiting your classrooms, talking to your students and interacting with your peers and administrators," Balgobin told all of the educators. "You have passion for your work. You love what you do. You have an art to truly inspire, energize and create rich and engaging lessons. Your smile is motivating and also contagious."
She continued that they were agents of change who help students reach and exceed their potential.
"Someone is smarter each and every day because of you," she said. "Someone is braver each and every day because of your kind encouragement. Someone is inspired each and every day because of you. Never forget that the lives that you change make this world a better place for many, many generations to come."
Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Spruce Creek High teacher is Volusia Teacher of the Year
