Morris Lawson
2025-26 Teacher of the Year: L.L. Beazley Elementary School
Question-Answer Session
Morris LawsonHow Long Have You Been Part of the PGCPS Family?
I have worked at L.L. Beazley Elementary School for the past 2 years, beginning in August 2024. I am a 4th grade inclusion teacher that teaches all 4 core subject areas.
I have worked at L.L. Beazley Elementary School for the past 2 years, beginning in August 2024. I am a 4th grade inclusion teacher that teaches all 4 core subject areas.
Please Share Your Thoughts on Being Named Teacher of the Year & What This Recognition Means to You.
Being named Teacher of the Year at L.L. Beazley is a true honor and privilege. Our staff is filled with dedicated veteran educators who consistently do outstanding work both in and out of the classroom, so to be recognized by such a respected group of colleagues is incredibly meaningful to me. The Beazley teachers, students, parents, and staff truly feel like a family, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work and collaborate within such a supportive and caring environment. This recognition is not solely a reflection of my efforts, but of the teamwork that defines our school. As an inclusion teacher, I am fortunate to work alongside Mrs. Sulc, Mrs. Moore, and Mrs. Debrick. They support our classroom each day and play an essential role in our student’s success. It has been an honor to collaborate with them, and I look forward to what the future holds for room F1. I am also deeply thankful for the continued support of my fourth-grade team- Mrs. Bowen, Mr. Saeler, and Mrs. Rio whose encouragement, humor, and dedication have been critical in my success as a teacher.
Being named Teacher of the Year at L.L. Beazley is a true honor and privilege. Our staff is filled with dedicated veteran educators who consistently do outstanding work both in and out of the classroom, so to be recognized by such a respected group of colleagues is incredibly meaningful to me. The Beazley teachers, students, parents, and staff truly feel like a family, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work and collaborate within such a supportive and caring environment. This recognition is not solely a reflection of my efforts, but of the teamwork that defines our school. As an inclusion teacher, I am fortunate to work alongside Mrs. Sulc, Mrs. Moore, and Mrs. Debrick. They support our classroom each day and play an essential role in our student’s success. It has been an honor to collaborate with them, and I look forward to what the future holds for room F1. I am also deeply thankful for the continued support of my fourth-grade team- Mrs. Bowen, Mr. Saeler, and Mrs. Rio whose encouragement, humor, and dedication have been critical in my success as a teacher.
What Inspired You to Enter the World of Teaching and Education?
My inspiration for entering the field of education comes not from a single moment, but from the people who shaped me along the way. Throughout my time as a student, I had the privilege of learning from many outstanding educators and coaches. Entering high school, my focus was more on wrestling than academics, and it was during this time that I was able to see my Aunt Debbie in action as a teacher. She is the educator every student hopes to have, someone with a warm, engaging personality who cares not only about academic success, but about helping students grow as individuals. She builds meaningful relationships that extend well beyond graduation and last a lifetime. This showed me that education is about more than grades; it is about relationships and the character traits we help students develop. Another major influence in my life was my high school head wrestling coach, who was also a history and special education teacher. I had the opportunity to be in his history class my junior year, where I saw firsthand how his consistent use of humor, hard work, passion, and loyalty made him not only an effective teacher and coach, but an exceptional leader for students to learn from and grow alongside. Without these two individuals, I would not be where I am today. Their guidance helped me further my education as a student-athlete at Seton Hill University, where I was able to achieve my goal of wrestling in college while gaining the knowledge and experience needed to become an educator. To Coach Mac and Aunt Deb, thank you for helping me achieve my goals and for giving me the opportunity to now help generations of students do the same.
Do You Have A Special Memory or Moment from This School Year You Would Like to Share?
Two special moments from this school year stand out to me and truly reflect the character of our students and school community. The first occurred at the beginning of the school year, when two of my students ran for SCA Vice President. Both students worked hard, delivered thoughtful speeches, and demonstrated genuine pride in the opportunity to represent our school. When the results were announced and one of my students was elected Vice President, the joy and celebration from our class was incredible to witness. What stood out even more, was the compassion and maturity shown toward the student who was not elected. His classmates immediately rallied around him, offering encouragement and support that transformed his disappointment into laughter and positivity. Seeing my students uplift and support both of their peers in that moment made me extremely proud as an educator.
Two special moments from this school year stand out to me and truly reflect the character of our students and school community. The first occurred at the beginning of the school year, when two of my students ran for SCA Vice President. Both students worked hard, delivered thoughtful speeches, and demonstrated genuine pride in the opportunity to represent our school. When the results were announced and one of my students was elected Vice President, the joy and celebration from our class was incredible to witness. What stood out even more, was the compassion and maturity shown toward the student who was not elected. His classmates immediately rallied around him, offering encouragement and support that transformed his disappointment into laughter and positivity. Seeing my students uplift and support both of their peers in that moment made me extremely proud as an educator.
The second moment that stands out was having the opportunity to honor one of my students as Beazley’s Student of the Month at a school board meeting. The joy this recognition brought her was truly heartwarming and well deserved. She consistently brings positivity and kindness into our classroom, greeting each day with a joyful “Buenos días” that never fails to bring a smile to my face. Witnessing her pride and confidence during this experience reinforced the importance of recognizing students for who they are, not just what they achieve.
Both of these moments brought me great joy and reminded me why I am so proud to be the teacher of these remarkable students.
Both of these moments brought me great joy and reminded me why I am so proud to be the teacher of these remarkable students.
Finally, What Do You Consider the Most Important Lesson You Help Students Learn?
One of the most important lessons I strive to teach my students is to be proud of who they are and to never allow anyone to make them feel otherwise. Each day, I work to ensure that my students see me not only as their teacher, but as a real person who values humor, has passions, and genuinely enjoys connecting with others. By allowing students to see my authentic self, I hope to model the importance of embracing individuality.
One of the most important lessons I strive to teach my students is to be proud of who they are and to never allow anyone to make them feel otherwise. Each day, I work to ensure that my students see me not only as their teacher, but as a real person who values humor, has passions, and genuinely enjoys connecting with others. By allowing students to see my authentic self, I hope to model the importance of embracing individuality.
I believe it is essential for students to understand that everyone is different, and that those differences should be celebrated. For this reason, I place great importance on creating a classroom environment where all students feel safe, valued, and confident being themselves. When students are encouraged to embrace their individuality, they are better able to grow academically, socially, and emotionally, and develop the confidence they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.