Tuesday, January 21, 2025–11:15 a.m.
-News Release-
Phyllis Morrison knew at an early age that she had a knack for working with children. After starting out as an accountant, she realized she had the urge to work with kids and became a teacher. And for several years first in Alabama and now in Georgia, she has worked diligently to educate kids.
So much so that earlier this week she learned that she had been named as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Morrison, who is a math interventionist at Rome Middle School, had been nominated a few years ago, but COVID and other issues delayed the awards until now.
“I received an email the other day telling me I had won it. I was just so excited. This is an award that Dr. Christy Epps and Mr. Parke Wilkinson nominated me for back in 2020. I found out I was a finalist in June 2021,” she said. “This process usually takes about a year and a half but because of COVID and other things, everything had been postponed until this week.”
When she received the email, Morrison said she was overjoyed.
“It is a long time coming, I think. She was nominated prior to me coming, so we have been waiting nearly four years to know whether or not she had won,” Rome Middle School Principal Christian Barnes said. “Not only does she bring recognition to Rome Middle School because she’s a part of our family, but it is so awesome because of the great work that she did in Alabama and continues to do here for Rome City Schools.”
Established in 1983, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest award K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government. This award honors the hard work and dedication mentors exhibit in broadening participation in STEM pathways.
While she was excited about winning, the first thing that came to Morrison’s mind was her students and other teachers.
“It’s just an incredible honor to represent the hard-working teachers across the United States in math. All teachers put their heart and soul into their jobs. I just love what I do,” she said.
For Morrison, teaching isn’t just about the subject but also about building up students.
“With middle school especially, the kids have to know you care for them. I want my students to know that I truly care about them, and I want them to strive for their true potential. I have high expectations. I was teaching advanced honor classes for several years and now I’m teaching as a math interventionist,” she said. “The thing I notice with all the students is that math isn’t always the issue. The issue is the students believing in themselves. I talk a lot about the growth mindset. The students might not know it now, but they will grow and know it later.”
One of her favorite moments as a teacher is when a student who has been struggling or hasn’t been able to grasp a concept turns the corner and manages to learn it.
“It’s such a joy. I tell you when they start talking about math using mathematical discourse and sharing their new discovery or their new knowledge, it’s amazing. That’s the magic in my classroom, and I get to be a part of that,” she said.
Nominees completed a rigorous application process to demonstrate deep content knowledge and an ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments.
A panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists, and educators at the state and national levels assessed the nominations before recommending awardees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.
The process took a while and involved more than one session of questions and answers along with Morrison being filmed while teaching. It was during a film session that Morrison had a chance to step back and see her students in action.
“When they were taping my classroom it was just so rewarding to stand back and listen to the students talk to each other and do it in a respectful way. I just stepped back and watched and listened while they talked about math and the real-world applications for the mathematics they were learning. Even when they disagreed with each other on concepts, they were respectful to each other,” Morrison said.
She loved seeing the interaction and along with that, she loves being able to champion her students.
“This is true for all students at every level. I want to be their cheerleader and encourager because we can work together and figure it out. I think the biggest hurdle is getting them to believe in themselves,” she said.
“Mrs. Morrison is not just your typical interventionist. She does things to incentivize the kids to go above and beyond what’s expected of them,” Barnes said. “She connects so well with the kids, and I would attribute that to her 30-plus years of experience. She doesn’t even bat an eye at doing whatever is necessary for the kids.”
While Morrison learned at an early age that she had a certain knack for working with children, her original career path didn’t include teaching.
“I truly think that I realized at an early age that I had a gift for working with children. I loved being involved with children and their activities. I’ll be honest I started out with an accounting degree, and I realized very quickly that it wasn’t where I needed to be,” she said. “A kindergarten position became available in a private school, and I took it. I knew from that moment on that teaching was where I needed to be.”
Once she found her palace in education, she has shined helping teach kids for many years. Even with her knowledge, she is quick to acknowledge the teachers at the school and others who have helped her and continue to help her along the way.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Jennifer Vaughn as well as the teachers in our math department. I’ve learned so much from all of them, and I know Mrs. Vaughn has watched me grow as a math teacher since I’ve been here. I value that, and I appreciate that so much,” Morrison said. “I’d like to say a special thank you to Parke Wilkinson, Dr. Epps, Mr. Barnes, Mrs. Kristen Hall, Mrs. Vaughn and the whole math team at Rome Middle and many others that have helped mold me and guide me in this process.”
Morrison will learn more details about when she will officially receive the award soon. While she waits, she continues pouring into students like she has over the years.
“I know she has over 30 years of experience, but I would love for her to hang in there as long as she can, keep going until the passion burns out, and I don’t think the passion will burn out until her number has been called and she’s leaving the face of this planet,” Barnes said.
