During any school day, Spanish teacher Carolyn Morse’s classroom is often filled with students dropping in for help, lunch or a quick conversation.
Her classroom attracts many students, not just those currently enrolled in her classes. Former students and others often stop by. Through these connections with students, Morse has created a space that blends learning with a sense of community.
Sophomore Leah Tokanel said Morse’s classroom feels like a “second home.”
“You don’t even have to be in her class to feel welcome,” Reynolds said. “If you’re stressed or need help, you can just walk in, and she actually listens. It doesn’t feel like you’re just another student to her.”
While she convinces teenagers to speak Spanish at 8 a.m., Morse’s impact reaches beyond just teaching conjugations and vocabulary to students.
Morse is also one of LHS’s three union representatives. Alongside science teacher Chrystena Ewen and math teacher Joanne Blake, she attends monthly meetings with administration to discuss schoolwide issues or staff concerns.
“Teachers will text me, call me or just walk into my room,” she said. “If they have a question about the contract or something stressful, I help them figure it out. Some days I’m just teaching. Other days, I might be helping a teacher understand how many sick days they have or giving advice when someone is worried they might get in trouble.”
Teaching was not always Morse’s plan because she originally majored in criminal justice. But after college, she applied to be a long-term sub and “ended up really liking it,” she said.
“Then I didn’t want to go back,” she said. “High schoolers? You can talk to them like real people.”
Even though Morse teaches Spanish, she said her goal is to help students grow as people.
“Most students aren’t going to major in Spanish,” she said. “It’s more about learning how to be a good person, connect with others and figure out how to learn, like studying, making flashcards, managing your time.”
Although Morse said she “enjoys” being in the classroom, much of her workload happens behind the scenes, and that can be time-consuming.
“It’s the paperwork, the emails home, calling parents, all the extra things outside the classroom,” she said.
Despite those challenges, Morse said the people are what keep her coming back each day.
“I really like the people here, students and staff,” she said. “If you didn’t, you wouldn’t stay. That’s why I run clubs, go to events and get involved. You have to be part of the community.”
Morse hopes her students remember more than just Spanish grammar.
“I want them to remember something from my class, anything,” she said. “It’s exciting when someone majors in Spanish, but it’s more about the connection.”
