As someone who spends time admiring real-women who don't need the help of a stylist to look great, I love smart driven women even more. We need to celebrate those women more and no one symbolizes that more than 25-year-old Morgan. We got a chance to talk to her and find out how she finds time to teach, further her education, and still look good while doing it.
Tell us a little about yourself....
“Hi, I’m Morgan! I might be small but don’t play with me!” Lmaooo That’s how I introduce myself to my students on day one. Most of the time it works perfectly, especially if my voice is loud enough lol. I proceed to say “I’m probably the youngest and smallest teacher that you will ever have but I also strive to be the most impactful.” Twenty-five years old and teaching young adults can definitely be a challenge but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. When I am not teaching or typing a paper for my grad program at Hopkins I am doing typical girl stuff traveling, eating but most importantly SHOPPING! If I am not spending my money on food or plane tickets, I am spending it on a REALLY nice pair of shoes.
Now listen, I wish my 5th-grade teachers were as fly as you! Do you incorporate a little bit of your personal style when getting dressed for work?
Honestly, it depends on the day!!! I recently left my 5th-grade position to teach at a school that needed me more. Now teaching 8th grade, I have to dress up a little more. Does it make a difference?! No! Because no matter what I put on, they are bigger than me. Moving around constantly, I dress rather casual for work. I’m never in a heel but because I rarely go out on the weekends I try to incorporate my shoe collection in my outfits as much as possible lol. I hate to see all my sneakers and boots just sit. I’ve always had the fear if I wear certain things my students would somehow spill school lunch all over my clothes but now that I teach older students I’m less afraid of messy school mishaps lol.
I commend you, teaching takes a lot of patience and dedication. When you were younger was teaching always something you wanted to do?
Actually, when I was younger I wanted to be a Pharmacist but I truly was never interested in science or math. I never thought about teaching until I graduated from college. Like typical college students, my major in college changed constantly until I found something I loved, ENGLISH. After I graduated I substituted for a kindergarten classroom and that’s all she wrote lol. Surprisingly teaching has taken me many places and I’m glad this is my career!
What is the biggest challenge you face when it comes to your students or just teaching in general?
Where do I begin?! Lol, I absolutely love teaching but it is HARD! My biggest challenge when it comes to teaching is finding a balance between what I’m “suppose” to teach and what I want to teach! As a teacher, you are told to stick to the curriculum provided by the district however......well let’s just say I’m not the biggest fan of the curriculum lol. I teach 8th grade ELA and Social Studies so teaching two subjects I’m very knowledgeable in I feel the provided curriculum isn’t current or interesting honestly. I often find myself teaching what I want in my classroom because I know the things my students need to know. I need my students “woke” at all time! So my social studies classroom is lowkey an African American studies classroom. Does every principal support what I do in my class?! NO! I often find myself defending what is taught in my classroom but it doesn’t bother me because I know my students are learning material they are not only interested in but they can benefit from
Who in your life would you say is or was your biggest influence?
My mom has always been my biggest influence! She is literally superwoman and no one can tell me different lol. I inspire to have her strength one day. Now that I’m older I admire my mom for different reasons. She has taught me how to value myself as a woman, how to manage my funds, and how to take chances without looking back. I think she is phenomenal!
I secretly love your sporadic outfit post. I don’t know if it’s the low-key aspect or that every outfit is so effortlessly put together, but your one of my favs on IG. What are five things you think every woman should have in their closet?
1. A bomb a** pair of sneakers. The switch up is very important. You have to still kill it with your causal slay lol.
2. Red lipstick. There is nothing more dangerous than a woman in red lipstick with a plan.
3. A pair of black or nude Christian Louboutin’s So Kate’s. Painful but the shoe is a classic. It’s literally the perfect shoe you can wear with different looks.
4. A bomb a** purse. I prefer a crossbody, Chanel or Gucci to be exact. But any nice purse will do. Just make sure you can carry 2x’s of the bag worth in it. I hate when women go broke to buy handbags they can’t afford. There is nothing worse than an empty designer bag. Gotta stay within budget lol
5. High-waisted jeans! I mean what’s not love about these bad boys. They look good on, give you shape, and can be worn many ways!
What is the one thing you try to instill in your students during their time in your class?
I try to instill so much in my students! One important thing is hard work will get you success. I have so many students who have the ability to succeed but they are lazy so I constantly push them for better. No slackers or no excuses in my room. I don’t tolerate it. To my young ladies, I find myself saying “pretty will only get you so far”. It is very important that they know they are so much more than a pretty face. They need to be independent and intelligent as well. They are already #blackgirlmagic, they just don’t know it yet! Lastly, I instill in my students something my mom always says “if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything”.
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