8th Grade ELA Teacher: Morgan Wright

This week I have another co-author of The School Hive, Morgan Wright. Also known as mrswrightsroom on Instagram. Not only is she a great teacher but she recently just started working with us as a co-author! Morgan always has some awesome ideas like the one she just shared on the blog was her bitmoji postcard!

Here is Morgan’s Interview:

1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

At an early age, I LOVED to read and write.  When asked what I wanted for Christmas or my birthday, I would always respond with a book title or stationary. With my book fascination at an early age, I began to dream about being an author or book publisher.  I had this vision of living in NYC and working for a major book publishing company.  

2. Is there a moment that sticks out to you that you remember from school with a teacher you had growing up?

There were a few teachers who, looking back now that I’m a teacher, I knew didn’t like their job and being with kids all day, but for the most part, I had the BEST teachers! Many of them encouraged me to become a teacher and for that, I’m beyond grateful, especially for Mr. Stephens.  I had the pleasure of being a student in his 8th grade class, which happened to be a 9th grade literature and composition class.  I had always loved literature and writing, but he was the first teacher in my life who fueled my passion even more for the subject area.  Mr. Stephens took time to get to know all of his students; he even gave all of us unique nick names.  Part of his teaching style was to not only teach the basics of the content, but he encouraged all of his students to be genuinely good human beings. It isn’t possible to pinpoint one single moment or memory in his class, because each day in his class was wonderful! 

3. How long have you been teaching, what state do you teach in, what do you teach, and what did it take for you to get there?

The 2020-2021 school year will be my fifth year of teaching middle school, all of which have been in Georgia.  I attended University of North Georgia in Dahlonega where I received my B.S. in MGED, specializing in ELA and reading.  In Georgia, you have to pass the GACE tests in your content areas and the edTPA portfolio in order to receive your teaching certificate.  After MANY hours of observations, student teaching, writing papers and research, I passed both of my GACEs and edTPA and received my certificate.  When I graduated from college, I took on a 7th grade ELA position at a Title 1 school.  I loved it, but the school was over an hour commute one way from my home.  For my second year and until now, I have been teaching 8th grade ELA at a middle school that I student taught at during my undergrad years.  I am super lucky to work where I do! My colleagues are amazing, and the students I teach are the best.  

4. What is your go-to tool you use in the classroom and why?

In my district, we thankfully have a TON of blended learning resources.  I like to use several in my classes to break up the monotony that can arise, but my favorite and go-to is CommonLit.  This is a great and FREE resource that teachers of all content areas can use.  It helps students practice reading stamina, fluency, comprehension, writing, and plenty of other skills.  

5. Is there anything you do to accommodate your students and how often do you find yourself using that accommodation?

I am a teacher who likes to try new teaching strategies and tools to best serve my students.  One way I personally like to accommodate for my students of all learning abilities is through station work.  This is a great way for students to collaborate with their peers and work on a skill/standard at their level of understanding, but it is also a great time for me to conference and work one-on-one with students who need me.  

6. What inspired you to start a teachergram?

Like I said, I am always looking for new, innovative, engaging and research-based ways of teaching and reaching my students.  I created a teachergram to not only share what I do in my own classroom, but to also find new ways of teaching content I teach.  

7. Any advice for a new teacher?

Be patient with yourself! I am as type-A, enneagram 3, perfectionist as they come.  I quickly learned during my first year of teaching that not everything will go as you originally planned.  You may have the best lesson planned, all of the materials ready to go, and then something happens that totally shifts your plans.  THAT IS OKAY! As a fifth year teacher, I am still learning this lesson on a daily basis.  Just remember to patient with yourself.  Your students will understand. 

8. What is your district's plan for going back to school in the fall?

As of now, students and parents have 2 options: fully virtual learning or “normal” brick-and-mortar/in-person.  My school normally has 6 class periods a day, but we are moving to modified block schedules to decrease the class transitions.  I am so thankful to work in a district that has done a great job of figuring out the best and safest ways for us to return to school.  

9. A lot of people have been saying they hope things start to change in education since this Pandemic, do you think anything will change from it?

If anything, I think it will emphasize how important it is to collaborate and work together.  My school has always done a great job of working with one another and trying to be on the same page, but I think the pandemic has shown us just how important it is to collaboratively plan and make sure we help each other out.  

10. Last but not least, where do you see yourself in ten years?

I recently received my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  I’ve found that not only do I love to teach students and help them learn new things, but I enjoy helping my colleagues figure out ways to teach their content.  In ten years, I hope to use those passions and be in an Instructional Coach or Literacy Coach position.