“I grew up going to my mom’s junior college classes. She was a teen mom, 19 when she had me, and she worked so hard to become a teacher. I’d sit in the back of her classes while she learned. Her professors were incredible—they welcomed me, called on me, and made me feel like I belonged. One time, her professor gave us this question to figure out, and the answer was ‘platypus.’ I’ll never forget how proud I felt figuring that out. That’s when I fell in love with learning.”
Whitley Morse, now a social studies teacher at Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, has spent 13 years shaping lives and building futures. Her passion for education started early, inspired by her mom’s dream of teaching.
“My mom never became a teacher, but I saw her love for it, and that inspired me. I was the cousin who made everyone do spelling tests when they came over. They probably didn’t love it, but I knew from a young age that education was where I was meant to be.”
Whitley’s journey hasn’t been linear. She’s worn many hats over the years—teacher, administrator, mentor—but it always came back to one thing: her love for the classroom.
“I left teaching for a while to work in administration. I enjoyed working with adults, but I missed the kids. I missed the lightbulb moments, the tough conversations, and the relationships. I realized I didn’t want to see kids only when they were sent to the office. I wanted to catch them earlier, to be the person who helps them grow before things get tough.”
She returned to teaching last year, and it was like coming home.
“The kids asked me, ‘Will you be here forever?’ And honestly, unless I win the lottery, probably, yes. This is where I’m meant to be.”
Whitley’s impact extends beyond her classroom. She mentors new teachers—affectionately calling them “baby teachers”—and helps them navigate the challenges of their first few years.
“The first year is the hardest. You don’t yet have the stories or relationships to lean on when things get tough. I tell them, let the kids talk. Build trust. Be yourself, because our kids can see through the BS. They need to know you’re genuine, and when you give them that, they’ll give it back to you.”
One of Whitley’s proudest accomplishments is the Three Rs program she leads for freshmen.
“Once a month, we bring in judges and lawyers to teach the kids about constitutional rights and what they mean in real life. They learn about everything—from freedom of speech to what happens when you get pulled over by the police. It’s incredible to see them empowered by that knowledge.”
Whitley was recently named Teacher of the Year, a recognition she humbly accepts.
“I don’t talk about it much—my principal and husband had to remind me to share it—but it’s a huge honor. Still, the real reward is when students come back years later to tell me I’ve made a difference. Just last week, I got a call from the Tennessee FBI. One of my former students wanted me to be a character witness for her application. She’s married now, has twins, and is thriving. Of course, I said yes. That’s what makes this work worth it.”
When asked what excites her most about the future of education, Whitley points to technology, but with cautious optimism.
“AI is exciting and terrifying. The things we can do—like creating tools where students can ‘talk’ to historical figures—are incredible. But at the same time, I think about how easily they could write their essays with AI. It’s a love-hate relationship. Still, I’m hopeful about the experiences we’ll be able to give kids in the future.”
Her advice for new teachers is simple but powerful:
“Surround yourself with people who believe in kids the way you do. This work is hard, but the joy, the laughter, and the growth you get to witness make it all worth it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help—we tell our kids to do it, but sometimes we forget to take that advice ourselves.”
At the heart of Whitley’s teaching is one core belief:
“You have to meet people where they are and grow them together. That applies to students, staff, parents—everyone. We’re all starting in different places, and our job is to help each other get to where we need to be.”
Whitley Morse isn’t just a teacher. She’s a mentor, a role model, and a leader shaping the future of education in Michigan, one student at a time.
Whitley Morse
Whitley Morse teaches 9–12 Social Studies at Ottawa Hills High School in the West Michigan region. With 13 years of teaching experience, she is a proud participant in the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Fellowship through TeachMichigan, where she continues to deepen her practice, mentor new educators, and advocate for students across Michigan.
Is there a teacher whose story needs to be heard? Share their journey with us and help amplify the voices of Michigan’s educators. We believe in the power of storytelling to inspire change and create a deeper connection with the communities we serve. Whether it’s a teacher who’s made a lasting impact, overcome significant challenges, or is simply doing extraordinary work, we want to hear from you. If you know a teacher whose story deserves to be told, reach out to us today. Let’s celebrate the heroes in our classrooms and share their stories with the world. Nominate a teacher here.