Heritage Elementary selects Caitlin Morris as ‘Teacher of the Year’
MADISON – Heritage Elementary School has recognized Caitlin Morris’ work by naming her “Teacher of the Year.”
“I was very surprised,” Morris said about the award. “I can definitely say I did not feel deserving, but I’m very appreciative.”
“I’m fortunate to work in a building with amazing educators who always go above and beyond for their students. Their dedication to their students and profession is extremely motivating,” she said.
Her career started in 2008 at Legacy Elementary School in Madison County Schools. Morris taught first-graders and kindergartners for 12 years at Legacy.
In 2020, she switched to Heritage and taught first-graders for three years. Morris moved to physical education in 2023. “Madison City Schools is an excellent school district with a variety of opportunities for their students. I have two children, and we live in the MCS district,” Morris said. “When my youngest child was old enough to start kindergarten, I wanted to transfer systems to stay with them and be on their same school schedule.”
Among her successes, Morris has the most pride in bringing the “All Kids Bike” program to Heritage this spring. “This biking curriculum allows us to teach all kindergarten students how to safely ride a bike without training wheels,” she said.
“It has been a great experience getting our students on two wheels and modifying lessons for their individual skill levels. I’m looking forward to continuing this program in future school years,” Morris said.
In class, Morris always know if her ideas are working. “You know things went well right off the bat in PE. Students will always let you know.”
“I love to try new things and activities. I joke that my first class of the day is my ‘guinea pig’ class. If something is successful, their engagement is high, and they often beg to play the same game again and again,” Morris said.
A native of Lawrenceville, Ga., Morris moved to Huntsville in 2003 to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a collaborative (special education) endorsement. She also achieved certification in physical education for grades K-12.
Her husband, Travis Morris, works as a mechanical engineer with NTA, a contractor on Redstone Arsenal. Their daughter Haley, 13, will enter eighth grade at Liberty Middle School. Their son Hunter, 11, will be a fifth-grader at Heritage.
“We also have a two-year-old chocolate lab named Nala,” Caitlin said.
Her interest in teaching PE started at UAH. She was a student athlete as a member of cross-country and track teams.
“I love spending time with my family . . . watching them compete and participate in their sports and their interests,” Caitlin said. “When I’m not teaching and driving the ‘mom taxi,’ I still love to run. I recently ran the Boston Marathon and am looking forward to the next big race I can check off my bucket list.”
