Patrick Henry High School computer science teacher Kimberly Morris is winding down the school year on quite a high.

Assemblymember Chris Ward recently recognized Morris as the District 78 Teacher of the Year. She will be honored this month during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9).

Ward chose Morris for this honor after being nominated by members of the community. An alumna of the school, Morris has been teaching at Patrick Henry High for a year.

Emily Moy, who teaches engineering at Patrick Henry, noted, “Patrick Henry’s Engineering Academy was thrilled to welcome Mrs. Morris to the team this year. Her strong technical and communication skills, as well as her dedication to improving equitable access to STEM education, has strengthened our program considerably. This recognition is well-deserved and our students are so lucky to have her.”

Science teacher Lara Dickens added, “Mrs. Morris was a stellar student, club leader and excelled in athletics. She took advantage of opportunities like spending a week on a mountain learning about glaciers with Inspiring Girls* Expeditions her senior year. She then went on to volunteer with them. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful role model back on campus. She is an outstanding educator. I am honored to work along side her and I appreciate all she has done for Henry High.”

According to Morris, receiving this honor is a big moment in her life and it highlights some of the good work going on at Patrick Henry High.

“Being named Teacher of the Year by Assemblymember Chris Ward is an incredibly humbling and meaningful honor,” Morris remarked. “It’s especially powerful knowing the nomination came from members of our own community—it feels like a recognition not just of my work, but of the relationships built over the past 14 years in education. Teaching is often a behind-the-scenes effort filled with long hours, tough decisions, and emotional investment. To have that work acknowledged in such a public way is both validating and energizing. This award reminds me that the work we do—supporting students, building inclusive learning environments, and helping them grow not just academically, but as people—matters. It’s an honor that affirms my purpose and pushes me to keep striving for what’s possible in education.”

Returning to where she once was a student has made this award even more fulfilling.

“Coming back to teach at Patrick Henry High School—my alma mater—has been both exciting and surreal,” Morris remarked. “I walk the same halls where I once made lifelong memories, and now I have the privilege of calling my former teachers colleagues. It’s a full-circle moment that I don’t take for granted.

“As the only computer science teacher on campus, I get to work with some of the most curious, creative, and driven students at Henry. These young people are not only academically talented—they’re leaders who care deeply about making a positive impact on the world. Watching them develop their problem-solving skills, collaborate on complex challenges, and bring innovative ideas to life is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.”

As Morris sees it, she is also lucky to work alongside a staff that shares an unwavering commitment to student success.

“Growing up in this community, I was shaped by some truly amazing educators,” Morris commented. “To now be in a position where I can contribute to that same legacy is incredibly meaningful. Looking ahead, I feel even more motivated knowing that my own daughter will one day walk these same halls. It’s a privilege to be part of the team that helps make Patrick Henry—and this community—a place where all students can thrive.”

Given she is the lone computer science teacher at Patrick Henry High, Morris sees a great opportunity to guide young minds in this all-important field.

“My goals for my students in computer science go far beyond just learning how to code,” Morris went on to say. “I want them to graduate from our Software and Systems Development pathway with the confidence, skills, and mindset to thrive in a fast-changing tech landscape. That means preparing them not just for the jobs of today, but for those that don’t even exist yet. I do this by immersing them in real-world software development practices, helping them earn professional certifications, and guiding them in building portfolios that showcase their technical and creative achievements.”

While having the right skillset is critical now and down the road to do well in computer science, there is much more to what Morris teaches.

“Just as important to me is building a classroom that is inclusive, empowering, and representative,” Morris said. “I’m deeply committed to increasing female representation in computer science. Through founding our Girls Who Code club and connecting students with inspiring women in tech, I strive to create a space where all students—especially those traditionally underrepresented in STEM—can see themselves as future innovators and leaders. Ultimately, I want every student to leave my class not only as a capable developer, but as a thoughtful, ethical, and empowered creator and consumer of the technology that will shape our future.”

With teachers like Morris at Patrick Henry High, the present and future look bright for countless Patriots.

Top photo: (L-R) Patrick Henry High Principal Sandra White, Kimberly Morris, Assemblymember Chris Ward. (Courtesy photo)