Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Somerset Jefferson K-12 Charter School surprised three of its faculty/staff members on Tuesday, Nov. 9, with exciting news. For the academic year of 2021-22, Keith Morley was named the Middle High School Teacher of the Year, Sharico Bellamy as the Elementary Teacher of the Year and Carla Cummings-Morley as the Non-Instructional Employee of the Year.
“This is a peer choice process,” remarked Principal Cory Oliver. “So to me this is the best type of award. When you are making yourself available and visible to your peers and make an impact in their lives, then this is well-deserved. Administration has such a love for each of these individuals as well. They truly are working every day to change the lives of kids and are the champions that all students should have.”
Congratulations, Keith Morley!
Morley got the news of his Middle High Teacher of the Year award during his afternoon band class, as administrators popped into the room, cheering and presenting him with a thriving peace plant. He teared up and could not speak for several minutes.
“This is extremely humbling,” Morley finally said. “We come to work every day for our students, not for awards, not for recognition, but for our students. To have an administrative staff that believes in you and gives you the time to teach these students and watch their academic gains, that’s what it is all about. We have quality educators here, and I am proud and honored to represent Somerset Jefferson. I am very, very grateful for the students, for the community and all the stakeholders here in Jefferson County.”
Morley wears many hats at Somerset Jefferson! He serves as a music educator and on several faculty teams, including the Safety & Security Team and Student Services/Behavioral Intervention Team. In a leadership capacity, he is the band director, co-chair of the Electives Department, an assistant football coach, New Teachers Academy coordinator, the Sandford Harmony (SEL) training coordinator and a member of the School Leadership Team. He has been the summer school administrator and participated with other school leaders in programs to further develop leadership skills.
Morley received his high school diploma from the Dillard Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and went on to get three degrees from Florida A&M University: Criminal Justice, Music Education and, at the master's level, Curriculum & Instruction. He is continuing with doctoral studies in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies with a concentration in recruitment and retention of lower social and economic minority students.
“I strongly believe that the goal of education is to enrich the lives of all students, while producing articulate, expressive thinkers and lifelong learners who are socially responsible,” says Morley. With an impressive list of leadership roles and a PhD in the works, Morley is building toward becoming an assistant principal in the future so that he can further influence the actions of both his colleagues and his students.
Congratulations, Sharico Bellamy!
Bellamy's head bowed in concentration as she sat at her desk during planning time. When her classroom door opened, she looked up from the set of papers she was grading to see a colorful bouquet of flowers and a group of smiling administrators congratulating her on her award. She could not believe she had been chosen as the Elementary Teacher of the Year.
“I am elated, very excited about this honor,“ said Bellamy. “I intend to wear this title as proudly as I can. I am honored to have these kids entrusted to me on a daily basis, to help them become who they are, see their purpose and be successful.”
Bellamy teaches fourth grade at Somerset Jefferson this year. She is a proud graduate of Jefferson County High School and has been giving back as a teacher in the district for 21 years.
She trained for the teaching profession by earning an associate's degree from North Florida Community College as well as bachelor's and master's degrees from Florida A&M University. She maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout college and received the Apple Pinning Honor of Distinction upon completion of graduate school.
Inspiration for teaching comes to Bellamy from several sources. Her devoted parents, Martha and Tony Massey, stressed the importance of learning as she was growing up, pushed her to do her best and never give up on her dreams and ambitions. She vividly remembers her first grade teacher, Mrs. Seabrooks, having a passion for teaching, complete investment in bringing out the best in her students and determination to ensure that every student who crossed her path was inspired to make something of themselves. Another role model for Bellamy was her Aunt Carolyn Junious, a lifelong educator in Jefferson County whose teachings inspired her to have an empowering impact upon every learner. Thus, Bellamy went into teaching with a strong mindset to make a difference, and she has found it to be one of the most rewarding and unique professions there is.
“I am a firm believer that it all starts with building positive and trusting relationships with each and every learner,” she says. “We must show our students how much we care about them and that we are concerned about every aspect of their lives.”
Congratulations,
Carla Cummings-Morley!
Cummings-Morley had been lured out of the office into the school's main lobby on a pretext, when the doors to the courtyard opened and the group of administrators approached to announce her award as Somerset Jefferson's Non-Instructional Employee of the Year.
“I was not anticipating this! I thank everybody for voting for me,” said Carla Cummings-Morley. “My job is an awesome fit. I love what I do. I love the stress and screaming about it and then being proud of my successes. I love the kids. I love the people I work with.”
As a fiscal and grant specialist for Somerset Jefferson, Cummings-Morley spends her days working with budget data, managing financial accounts and handling grants. She worked in banking for more than 20 years before applying her considerable skills to the financial side of education. In the school setting, she has found a strong sense of purpose and belonging. She feels valued for the contributions she makes, welcomed as part of a team and trusted with the independence to get the tasks done.
“My work hours tend to pass by faster each day,” she reflects. “I often leave the school feeling upbeat at the end of each workday, although every day is not amazing. I try to maintain a positive attitude even on the most challenging days.”
Cummings-Morley was nicknamed “Honey Badger” by Principal Oliver because she is notorious for her strength, ferocity, fearlessness, toughness, persistence and resourcefulness. She feels a strong sense of accomplishment from her work and is rewarded with the smiles she sees every day from the students and her colleagues.
“They believe in me just as much as I believe in myself,” she says. “I couldn't thank them enough for the roles they play in my life and future.”
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