Irving ISD Secondary District Teacher of the Year - Emilio Morlett
Emilio Morlett was born in Mexico City to two very hard-working parents. At just eight years old, his family was presented with an opportunity to move to Coppell. His father’s new job meant that Mr. Morlett would have to adjust to a new environment. He says, “My sister and I took full advantage of the ESL program offered by our school district and within a couple of years, we felt right at home.” Mr. Morlett studied at Coppell High School and was accepted to Texas A&M University to pursue his undergraduate studies. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biology with a minor in STEM education. This year, he’ll begin a new position with the District as an HR Investigations and Hearing Officer.
After graduating from Texas A&M, he returned to the Dallas area. Mr. Morlett found an opening at MacArthur High School. While being a teacher, he was able to achieve his Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Reflecting on his background, Mr. Morlett tells us that he comes from a family of teachers and professors. His high view of educators led him to his career path. Yet it wasn’t until his first year of teaching that he was truly captivated by his passion for the profession. “Building relationships with my classes, coming up with creative ways to communicate complex ideas, and seeing students experience “ah-hah” moments were some of the things that I began to find very meaningful and exciting!”
Last year at MacArthur High School, Mr. Morlett taught On-Level and ESL Biology. “I loved teaching biology because it involves finding ways to explain complex processes in a way that students can comprehend. Biology is extremely applicable to the lives of my students, so it is never a struggle to convince them of its relevance. I especially enjoyed teaching ESL biology because I saw my own experiences being lived out in the lives of my students. I also feel that I can use this relational capital to encourage them to work hard and overcome the various challenges associated with learning in a relatively new culture and language.”
Since he began teaching, Mr. Morlett’s favorite memory as a teacher is a heartfelt moment. Last school year, when he was going over a lesson on the human body, Mr. Morlett turned his attention to the importance of proper kidney function. He shared with his students that his son had suspected kidney problems.
He says, “After class, one of my students came up to me and said ‘You know Mr. Morlett, since I have two kidneys I can probably give one to your son.’ Fortunately, my son’s renal issues do not seem to be anything too consequential and he is far from needing a new kidney! However, this student’s sincerity and willingness to help me meant the world to me. I hoped that this gesture was a reflection of the way that I treated my students.”
Mr. Morlett’s wisdom for teachers is to always assume that they have something to learn from their students, peers, and supervisors. He attributes his accomplishments as a teacher to his own professors, peers, and evaluators. He says the most humbling criticism has had the most sharpening effect on his instruction.
This year, Mr. Morlett was recognized as Irving ISD’s Secondary District Teacher of the Year.
When he was first titled MacArthur’s campus teacher of the year, he felt incredibly honored that his peers recognized his dedication to the students. “It meant a lot to me that many of the educators at MHS that had invested so much in me as a new teacher thought that I had earned this honor. When I was named District Teacher of the Year, I was surprised! I was full of gratitude to God, my MHS family, and my friends and family that came out to show their support.”
When Mr. Morlett isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his family, spending time outside, serving at his church, exploring good places to eat, and chasing the baby around the house away from electrical outlets.
To ensure that teachers continue to be successful in and out of the classroom, it is essential that the community supports them! The work of educators is essential. In the words of Mr. Morlett, “Now more than ever, community members need to rally behind students to remind them of the worth of personal discipline forged by daily attendance and the wealth of opportunities made available through achievement. We also need our Irving community to promote a higher view of the teaching profession. When teachers are valued for the life of service they undertake, schools attract more highly qualified educators and students have a deeper appreciation for learning.”
On behalf of the Irving Schools Foundation, we congratulate Emilio Morlett for his accomplishments last school year and wish him great success in the future!
