The Presidential Award means the culmination of years of mentoring and collaboration from education professionals I admire and look up to. It means educators who taught me with passion and instilled in me a desire to emulate that passion. It is the prodding of administrators and the example of my teaching colleagues. It means a loving, supportive family. It means the curiosity of my brilliant students that drive me to learn more, do more, and be more in my profession. It means the world to me.

Debbie Morgan Monroe, UT | 7-12, Science, 2017

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Deborah Morgan has taught students at South Sevier High School for the past four years. She spent one previous year as a regional technology trainer for Central Utah Educational Services, as well as 12 years teaching middle school science at North Sevier Middle School and Centerville Junior High. She currently teaches 9-12th-grade Earth Science, Physics, Chemistry, and Investigation Science. As a rural teacher and district technology coach, Deborah trains and supports teachers to use online classroom management systems, in addition to advising a STEM club. She also serves as a facilitator for the Utah Teacher Fellows, a fellowship sponsored by Hope Street Group. Seeking to inspire students to ask questions and grow curiosity, she initiated the school's Physics is Phun Day, during which elementary students spend time exploring physical science concepts taught by her high school students. Deborah has presented sessions at several conferences on science teacher professional learning travel, experiences, grant funding, and classroom technology. She has also published related articles with Teacher Prep Tech and Sevenzo. Deborah earned a B.S. in geology from Utah State University and a M.S. in geosciences from Mississippi State University. She is certified in earth science, physical science, and middle level science education.

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