Clark Middle School social studies teacher Joe Morris is the first to be bestowed with the new “Teacher of the Month” award by the Fayette Optimist Club.

The award recognizes outstanding teachers in the Fayette school district. The district’s Professional Development Committee selects honorees from peer nominations. Mr. Harris was recognized at the regular Optimist Club meeting held last Friday morning, October 3, with a framed certificate and a $100 award to be used in his classroom.

According to the nomination, Morris's is the first car in the parking lot every single day. “He is always at his classroom door greeting kids in the morning. He is kind, yet has high expectations of the students. He is starting the school year off so strong,” the nomination read.

The nomination stated that, although it is very early in the school year, there have been numerous unsolicited compliments for Mr. Morris from both students and teachers. “Many members of my CMS Softball team have told me how much they enjoy Mr. Morris’s class, and were even trying to make Native American tools out of rocks they found during batting practice. I am so glad Mr. Morris is in our district.”

Mr. Morris is in his first year at Fayette.

Club President Sean Pridgeon explained that nomination criteria will rotate throughout the school year to spotlight different facets of effective teaching.

The Optimist Club outlined monthly themes for the rotating selection criteria: September focuses on professionalism, October on teaching excellence, November on student engagement, December on innovation and creativity, January on community involvement, February on positive impact, March on professional growth, and April on collaboration and teamwork.

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