Lisa Morris graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 1990, but she never really walked away from our school district. After graduating from CHHS, Lisa attended Delaware State University where she obtained a degree in Higher Education and Special Education. She then immediately landed right back in the Cape Henlopen School District and has made a career of shaping the lives of countless CHSD students.
She began her teaching career at Lewes Middle School where she taught 5th grade special education and she then moved into teaching regular education at Lewes Middle for 6 years.
Lisa moved to Beacon Middle School in 2003, the first year that the new middle schools opened. While there, she taught 7th grade language arts and social studies for ten years. She was promoted to the role of assistant principal in 2013. Lisa’s approach to leadership is unique because she has logged so many years as a teacher. She understands that building a great team takes appreciation for every team member and she continues to advocate for her staff.
In fact, Lisa recalls that as a young teacher, she was excited at the prospect of having nights and weekends off, and she quickly realized that although she may not be actively teaching, she spent many nights and weekends planning lessons and preparing for her students. She said the sixty plus hours a week has not changed as an administrator, the tasks are just different. Currently, her family laughs at her when she says she is “headed to her classroom to work”, in fact, Lisa still needs to be reminded that she now has traded the classroom for the office.
Interestingly enough, among her peers at the Beacon Middle School office, there are two other esteemed CHHS alumni, the principal Dave Frederick graduated from Cape in 1988, and Tara Kennedy, their support staff graduated in 1989. Lisa, along with her other alum are proud to still be a part of our amazing district and community.
In fact, Lisa has three children who also attended CHSD and who remain in the area. Her youngest daughter followed in her footsteps and is currently a teacher at Colonial.
Lisa fondly recalls her years as a student at CHSD and especially loved her 6th grade teacher Mrs. Travis, with whom she was honored to teach with at the beginning of her career. In addition, her 10th grade English and American Literature teacher, Mrs. Rhue also helped shape Lisa’s future plans to become an educator. Ironically, Lisa has had the opportunity to stay connected to Mrs. Rhue, although she has passed away, by having her grandchildren currently pass through the halls of Beacon on a daily basis.
In talking to Lisa, her love of her students, love of being an educator and, love of being a longtime part of Cape instantly surfaces. In fact, her connection to our area began before Lisa herself was even born; her father is a Native American Nanticoke Indian.
It is crystal clear that Lisa Morris is exactly where she is supposed to be which allows the Cape community the good fortune of receiving her many talents on a daily basis. For this we are “Cape Proud” of Lisa Morris.
Please visit our new Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation (CHEF) website at www.chef-cape.org to learn more about CHEF's educational partnership with the Cape school district. We invite the entire Cape community to help us achieve our mission of preparing students for
a healthy, productive life in a diverse and global society.
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The Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation’s (CHEF) principal objectives are to inspire learning and to prepare all students for a healthy, productive life in a diverse and global society. To help accomplish these goals, we seek to engage the entire community--educators, parents, business, civic and legislative leaders.
It is with these thoughts in mind that “Cape Rocks” highlights some of Cape’s brightest and best. The amazing stories and individuals reflected here are an integral part of our community. They make the Cape Henlopen School District and the surrounding area a truly amazing place to live.
