Dr. Clarice Morris
Teacher of the Year

Katherine Costello 1955-56 May Henry 1956-57 Thomas T. Martin 1957-58 Agnita C. Wallace 1958-59 Henry Fleichman 1959-60 Dr. Ruth Stone 1960-61 Margaret Barrett 1961-62 Elizabeth Turbin 1962-63 Alice J. Scott 1963-64 Dr. Robert Carey 1964-65 Anne Bocik 1965-66 Lilyan R. Buchwalder 1966-67 Grace S. Hoberg 1967-68 Margaret Falcone 1968-69 Elizabeth Peacock 1969-70 Josefina Muniz 1970-71 Howard Wehmeyer 1971-72 Maria J. Sarantis 1972-73 Vivian Tom 1973-74 Rosalyn Polachek 1974-75 Gladys Pack 1975-76 Elayne Mauskof 1976-77 Frederick T. Krell 1977-78 Lois Anne Leiser 1978-79 Lillian Mein 1979-80 Sanford Frederick Levine 1980-81 Rocco J. Lapenta 1981-82 Virginia Giordano 1982-83 Ruth Elizabeth Sweeney 1983-84 Lauren Trager 1984-85 James W. Butts 1985-86 Eileen M. Casey 1986-87 Rose Licata 1987-88 Gail O’Rourke 1988-89 Geraldine Marazita 1989-90 Ben Corlieto 1990-91 Michael Richardson 1991-92 Anthony Marazita 1992-93 Joanne Chivinski 1993-94 Theresa Angelilli 1994-95 Brendan Herlihy 1995-96 Col. Peter Duggan 1996-97 Cecilia Tucker Myers 1997-98 Bill Roney 1997-98 Susan Fein 1998-99 Elaine Richardson 1999-00 Deborah Fontenova 2000-01 Pamela Bove 2001-02 Jane Petretti 2002-03 Joan Monk 2003-04 Rocco Riti 2004-05 Diana Zottoli 2005-06 Clarice Morris 2006-07

Dr. Clarice Morris, Magnet Teacher of the Academy of Medical Professions at Gorton High School is the recipient of the Yonkers Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Initiated by the Kiwanis Club of Yonkers and the Yonkers Board of Education, the award recognizes excellence in teaching.

Gorton High School Principal Rocco Grassi describes Dr. Morris as a teacher who, “creates a learner-centered environment which is exciting and innovative. She believes in educating the ‘total student’ as she engages students in interesting, meaningful and challenging enterprises. She aids without reprimand, corrects without disparagement, and teaches by example and deed as well as textbook fact.”

Dr. Morris employs two philosophies in her teaching. The first, which she learned from her father, is “know your definitions and know your concepts.” This philosophy provides the foundation for learning. If one knows the definitions one has the language of the subject and if one has knowledge of the concepts one can employ that knowledge under any circumstances. The first philosophy complements the second one, which is “successful teaching integrates education, both secondary and post secondary, practicum/internships and service learning.” Students must see the relevance of the content taught and learned otherwise that information stands in isolation.

In 1989, Dr. Morris joined the Yonkers Public Schools as a biology, chemistry, and earth science teacher at Roosevelt High School, and in 1993, she began working at Gorton High School as the Medical Magnet teacher in the Academy of Medical Professions.

In addition to teaching microbiology and advanced level medical courses at Gorton High School, Dr. Morris developed and coordinates the Community Wellness Center at the school, which is operated by Gorton students. Over 13,000 Yonkers and Westchester County residents and Gorton staff and students received services including blood pressure screening, diabetes information, nutritional counseling, CPR and first aid certification, babysitter instruction, HIV and AIDS information, and a new prevention program to help teens understand abusive parenting.

Through Dr. Morris’s efforts, Gorton High School participates in the Healthy School program, one of only 18 schools statewide. The Healthy School program is a holistic approach to the well-being and education of students.

Dr. Morris supervises the Authentic Science Research Program - a three year, 12 college credit independent research program through the State University of New York at Albany, and oversees the Learn and Serve America Grant - students apply classroom and academic curriculum and skills to provide service for actual community needs. Gorton students can graduate with 30+ college credits. Most recently, she spearheaded the district’s application to the New York State Education Department for a Certified Nurses Aide program.

Other school responsibilities for Dr. Morris include serving as the chairperson of the design team for the Academy of Medical Professions as part of Gorton High School’s Smaller Learning Communities Initiative, conducting the school’s annual American Red Cross blood drive as well as providing quality field experiences for her students at community agencies throughout Westchester County.

Dr. Morris represents the Yonkers Public Schools on the Board of the National Consortium of Health Science Technology Education (NCHSTE), the governing body determining health care curriculum and national health standards. Yonkers is the only school district member of NCHSTE among the 40 state directors and health care professionals, providing the necessary practical input and experience to NCHSTE’s efforts.

Under Dr. Morris’s tutelage, the Yonkers Public Schools had an Intel Science Competition finalist in 2006. Many of her students studied at some of the finest medical schools and pre-med programs in the country and entered the medical profession as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and radiologists.

Born in Flint, Michigan, and raised in Clio, Michigan, Dr. Clarice Morris has a Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology with a specialty in Immunology, a Master of Science in Microbiology, and Bachelor in Chemistry, all from the University of Michigan.

Prior to becoming a teacher, Dr. Morris did research in microbiology, immunology, oncology, and molecular genetics at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, University College in London, England, and Sloan Kettering-Walker Research Laboratory in Rye, New York.

Dr. Morris taught science at Ruffner Junior High School in Norfolk, Virginia and was a Regents biology teacher at Sleepy Hollow High School in Tarrytown, New York. In addition, Dr. Morris taught medical microbiology to nursing and dental students at the University of Michigan and St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Dr. Morris is the recipient of prestigious awards including Certificate of Excellence at the 2006 National Health Science Curriculum Conference, one of three teachers nationally, the ING Unsung Heroes Award for her creative B. Here Program, healthy eating and exercise, and is listed in Who’s Who in American Education. She was selected as Yonkers Public Schools Occupational Education Teacher of the Year for the 2000-2001, Gannett Suburban Newspapers Golden Apple Teacher Award (First Runner-up), and the Charles E. Gorton High School PTSA Jenkins Award.

Dr. Morris’s work has been published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (1970), Cellular Immunology (1978). and Federation Proceedings (1976).

Dr. Morris serves on the Board of Directors of the Cochran School of Nursing at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, and is involved in the activities of her church, Irvington Presbyterian Church, and has held positions including Elder and Member of Session, Chairman of the Christian Education Committee, Sunday School Superintendent, and Member of the Advisory Committee for the Good Shepard Early Childhood Center.