Lana Claire Morgan teaches first grade at Bowmar Elementary School and has 21 years of experience in education.

Morgan is a finalist for the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year award. One elementary and one secondary teacher of the year will be announced at the Chamber Luncheon in February. The winner of each award will receive $1,000 from Ameristar Casino and the runners-up for each award will receive $500 from Mutual Credit Union.    

Morgan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in elementary education and a Master of Education in educational leadership, both from the University of Mississippi.

Morgan said watching her students make progress in the pivotal areas taught in first grade is a rewarding experience.

“My children begin each day by writing in their journals,” Morgan said. “Writing is my absolute favorite part of teaching first grade. At the beginning of the year, the children simply copy the sentence from the board and add a picture. After a few weeks, I will provide just a sentence starter. The children have to complete the sentence and add a picture. Beginning in October, the children must complete the sentence, add another sentence and add a picture. Beginning in January, the children  must complete the sentence, add two more sentences and add a picture. Beginning in March, I will provide a question. The children must answer the question using at least four sentences with an opening and closing and add an amazing picture. This gentle growth in expectations allows the children to gain a strong foundation in writing before moving on to more complicated writing.”

Morgan also touted the Vicksburg Warren School District’s Leader in Me program as a way to teach students about real-world applications for lessons.

“The Leader in Me opens the door to countless conversations about the real world,” she said. “We begin each morning by discussing the Habit of the Month. I break down the Habit into language that the children can understand. Explaining the real world to children is crucial to their success. Children need to know what to expect when they enter the world. These life lessons and real-world conversations are immeasurable in regards to the impact they have on each child’s future. I am humbled to play a small part in that”

Morgan also said the STRAWS program is essential to success in her classroom.

“My classroom management plan is STRAWS,” she said. “Over 35 years ago, my mama created this plan. I have been using STRAWS since  my very first day of teaching in 2004. At the beginning of each day, each child begins with three straws in his/her pocket. Throughout the day, the children can earn straws for answering questions, turning in homework, helping a friend in the hallway, having nice manners, cleaning up in the cafeteria, etc. However, the children can also lose straws for inappropriate behavior. In almost 21 years, I have taught over 400 children. I have yet to teach a child where STRAWS did not work. Seeing a child’s face light up when he/she earns a straw is magical.”

And that magic is why Morgan said teaching is the job she was meant to do.

“I teach because I cannot imagine doing anything more meaningful,” she said.