Meet Courtney Morris—Marion County 2025 Rookie Teacher of the Year

Courtney Morris [Marion County Public Schools]

Marion County’s Rookie Teacher of the Year has been awarded to Courtney Morris, a second-year teacher from Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School.

Morris joined MCPS two years ago and, like all rookie teachers, has no more than three years of classroom teaching experience. She teaches second grade.

Before becoming a teacher, Morris worked in Marion County as a paraprofessional and a homeschool liaison.

“I’m just really, really thankful that I get to give back and help the next generation of learners,” she said. “It just kind of feels surreal.”

The Rookie Teacher of the Year and Golden Apple Teacher of the Year honors are awarded by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. A School Related Employee of the Year is also chosen.

Out of the six finalists for Teacher of the year, the winner will be announced at the Golden Apple Gala on Feb. 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala. The winner will receive an Acura Integra, with a three-year pre-paid lease from the Jenkins Auto Group.

Morris will be recognized for the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award at the gala alongside the Golden Apple Finalists and the School Related Employee of the Year.

Morris said that so far, she is enjoying teaching second grade, as 7- and 8-year-olds show a lot of growth at this period of their education.

“I try to help my students be successful as much as they can. I try to plan fun, engaging lessons. Sometimes I’ll turn my classroom into a hospital or a cafe, just to kind of get their hands-on learning in as much ways as possible,” she said.

Morris was mentored by one of the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalists, Kristen Wilson, who she credits for helping her reach success.

“I thought that was pretty cool that we both won the (Golden) Apple at the same school, and she played a very large part in who I am as a teacher,” she said.