Teachers Corner

Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Cadogan’s Passion for Purpose and Growth

By Hezekiah. KD

At Morrow High School, Mrs. Cadogan is more than just a teacher—she is a mentor, motivator, and what many students call their “school mom.” With 17 years in education, her passion for helping students grow continues to shape her classroom and the lives of those she teaches.

A Calling to Serve

Mrs. Cadogan said her decision to become a teacher was rooted in both passion and purpose.

“I love to watch our kids grow,” she said. “I’m very big on, ‘Let’s make you better than you were when you walked into my class.’”

She explained that seeing students who did not always have someone to advocate for them fueled her desire to step into that role. “I wanted to be the teacher that I wanted in school for my students,” she added.

The Impact of Morrow

Teaching at Morrow has deeply influenced her life.

“Oh, my gosh. I love these kids,” she said. “It has made me a better teacher. It challenges me to find different activities and strategies to help my students grow. It makes me want to show up every day and make sure my kids are okay.”

For Mrs. Cadogan, the work is both professional and personal.

Balancing Life and the Classroom

When asked how she balances her identity as a teacher with her life outside of school, she smiled.

“I’m the same person,” she said. “I’m always happy. I’m fun.”

As a mother of seven, she sees teaching as an extension of motherhood. “Being a teacher is just an extension of being a mom,” she explained. “When I look at these kids, I still feel like I’m their school mom.”

Breaking Misconceptions

Mrs. Cadogan believes one of the biggest misconceptions about teachers is that they want students to fail.

“We don’t,” she said. “We want them to be successful. We don’t want them to get held back or get low grades. People think we just show up and enjoy summers off, but we actually care about these kids and want them to be the best they can be.”

Growth on Both Sides

Teaching, she says, has also shaped who she is as a person. Over the course of 17 years, she has watched former 12-year-olds grow into adults in their twenties.

“It lets me know that I’m doing something right,” she said. “And it has made me more open-minded. Everyone doesn’t come from the same starting point.”

The “Aha” Moment

The most rewarding part of her job?

“When my students say they get it,” she said. “When they have that ‘aha’ moment and realize they can actually be better in life.”

Small gestures also leave a lasting impact. Notes, hugs, check-ins, and updates from former students mean the world to her. “Just keeping in touch,” she said, “that matters.”

Why Teachers Stay

Despite the stress educators often face, Mrs. Cadogan says students are the reason many teachers remain in the profession.

“You always have those students who want to learn and look for you every day,” she said. “I think the students are what keep teachers in the classroom.”

For Mrs. Cadogan, teaching is not simply a career—it is a calling built on love, growth, and the belief that every child can become better than they were the day before.

From Supportive Parent to Passionate Educator: Ms. Elder’s Journey at Morrow

By Hezekiah K.D.

At Morrow High School, Ms. Elder’s path to the classroom was not part of her original career plan. What began as a personal decision to support her daughter ultimately evolved into a calling that continues to shape her life and the lives of her students.

An Unexpected Beginning

“To be honest, becoming a teacher was not part of my original plan,” Ms. Elder shared.

Her journey into education started when she began working as a long-term substitute for CCPS. At the time, her daughter was a sophomore, and Ms. Elder believed her presence in the building would provide valuable support.

However, while working in the school environment, she discovered something unexpected—a passion for helping students grow academically and personally. What began as a supportive gesture soon turned into a professional purpose.

Growing as an Educator

Teaching at Morrow has played a significant role in Ms. Elder’s development. She credits the school’s leadership for supporting her growth and helping her strengthen her understanding of classroom pedagogy.

“The leadership here has been very supportive throughout my growth as an educator,” she said.

Outside of school, she maintains balance by spending quality time with loved ones and engaging in activities she enjoys.

Teaching Is a Calling

Ms. Elder believes one of the biggest misconceptions about teachers is that many dislike their jobs.

“I wish people understood that teaching is a calling,” she explained. “It requires passion and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others.”

While acknowledging that challenges come with the profession, she says her purpose—her “why”—continues to motivate her each day.

Meaningful Moments

Teaching has not only impacted her students but also shaped her personally. She says the profession has helped her identify areas for her own growth and self-improvement.

The most meaningful part of her job comes when students experience their own breakthrough moments.

“Seeing my students have their ‘aha’ moments reminds me that the work I do truly matters,” she said.

When students are open to guidance and express appreciation for the relationships built in the classroom, it leaves a lasting impact on her as an educator.

What Keeps Teachers Going

Despite the demands of the profession, Ms. Elder says love is what sustains teachers.

“What keeps teachers in the profession is the love of making a meaningful impact on the next generation, both inside and outside of the classroom,” she said. “My students and the love we have for them make the challenges worth it.”

For Ms. Elder, what started as a mother’s support has grown into a lifelong commitment to shaping the future—one student at a time.

Homecoming Highlights!

Teacher Spotlight

Mrs. Tara Cadogan