The new school year in Alabama has kicked off with something to celebrate: the very first Golden Apple Award has been handed out, and it’s heading to Williamson High School in Mobile.
The honor goes to English teacher Jacqueline Morris, who has made her classroom a place of both structure and warmth.
For Morris, the recognition reflects more than daily lesson plans.
It represents the bond she has built with students who see her as both an educator and a steady presence in their lives.
After years in uniform, she’s carried that sense of duty into a new mission—shaping futures from inside a classroom.
From Army to English Class
Before she stood in front of high school students, Morris wore a different kind of uniform.
She retired as a senior non-commissioned officer from the U.S. Army, bringing with her a lifetime of leadership, resilience, and discipline.
Those skills didn’t stay on the base. They now inform every lesson she teaches at Williamson, where she’s been guiding students in English and Language Arts for the past three years.
The transition from military life to public education might sound like a leap, but to Morris, the throughline is clear: dedication to people.
Instead of mentoring soldiers, she now encourages teenagers who may be discovering their own voices for the first time.
A Teacher Who Calls Her Students “Amazing”
Ask Morris what fuels her day, and her answer is simple: the kids. “My kids are amazing—they teach me every day,” she said.
“My job is never boring—but they need stability and just love. And if I can give them that every day, the learning will come behind it.”
That perspective reflects more than optimism; it shows a clear understanding of what young people often crave most.
Her classroom offers consistency, kindness, and high expectations—a recipe that not only boosts academic performance but also builds confidence that extends far beyond high school walls.
Family Backing and Community Pride
The nomination for the award came from someone who knows her best—her daughter.
Allie Dubose put her mother’s name forward, calling her a passionate teacher whose students feel like extended family.
“I think we know just as much about them as they know about us,” she said.
Hearing that from a family member underscores how fully Morris has woven her teaching into everyday life. It’s not only about papers graded or assignments posted; it’s about relationships that carry over after the bell rings.
The Golden Apple shines brightest when it reflects both classroom success and community support, and Morris embodies that connection.
More Than a Classroom Leader
Morris doesn’t stop at English lessons. She also serves as coach for the Varsity Girls Flag Football team and mentors middle school boys in track.
The energy she pours into athletics mirrors her approach in class—encouraging teamwork, building discipline, and showing young people how to set goals and chase them.
This combination of teacher and coach makes her influence even more impactful.
For students, it means lessons in literature and language paired with experiences that build character on the field.
For the broader community, it signals the value of educators who invest in every aspect of student life.
As the first Golden Apple Award recipient of the 2025–26 school year, Jacqueline Morris sets a high bar.
Her story highlights how one person’s commitment can ripple outward, creating stability, inspiration, and pride that touches both classrooms and neighborhoods.
For Williamson High School and the community around it, the year couldn’t have started on a brighter note.
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