Home News Rookie Teacher of the Block Makes the Right Choice

Rookie Teacher of the Block Makes the Right Choice

6/3/2021

COLUMBIA, S.C. –Morgan Varn, a seventh grade mathematics teacher in the Leadership Academy at Wright Magnet program at E. L. Wright Middle School, is the May 2021 Rookie Teacher of the Block (RTOB). Surprised by the award, Varn says to know that someone within her school or district thought highly enough to nominate her, is truly an honor.

“It gives me a sense of relief knowing that I am not just another teacher but I am doing something to make an impact on my students' lives. It also means to me that I made the right choice in choosing Richland 2, where I could continue to learn and teach at the same time,” Varn said. “I appreciate the support, encouragement, and positive atmosphere that Richland 2 offers to help me be successful in the classroom.”

E.L. Wright Middle School principal Malinda Taylor and her team of teachers and administrators nominated Varn noting she has the instincts and actions of a veteran teacher. “She has set up conferences with numerous parents of struggling students. Morgan's lessons are top notch, never have I seen such a youthful educator create lessons that can reach so many different learning modalities. And she is doing all this during a pandemic while teaching students in person and virtually at the same time,” said Taylor.

This new teacher also took on the role of being the Head Girls Basketball Coach. In addition to leading the girls on the court, she led them off the court also, offering several hours of tutoring time to help them keep their grades up.

Varn graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts in middle level education with concentrations in math and science. She is currently working on a Master of Curriculum and Instruction at Grand Canyon University.

RTOB winners receive a plaque to hang outside their door, a nameplate for the door, discounted tax preparation from H&R Block, a unique trophy designed by the 3D printing class at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2) Student Innovation Center, and a bag of Richland Two goodies from Human Resources. An overall winner will be selected soon from each of the monthly RTOB that were celebrated throughout the school year.