Top Teachers
Saturday, October 25, 1997
Name: Morlee Walters
Age: 43
Position: Teacher, Haiku School
Education: University of Hawaii
Pastimes: Playing guitar, horseback riding
Morlee Walters says one of the most difficult tasks in her life was going back to college to get a teaching degree at age 35 while raising three children. Finding the artists within
Sometimes, she took tests with a sick child by her side. But she said the studying was worth it because she loves teaching.
"The day goes quickly," said Walters, a former short-order cook. "It's always changing, a different mix of children, different moods."
Principal Fern Markgraf said Walters is an outstanding teacher. "She does some incredible things with writing and poetry," Markgraf said. "She's really into language and music."
Markgraf said Walters attends classes to enhance her teaching skills.
Walters, who plays the guitar, said she enjoys teaching through singing and other arts, including drama and painting.
Her second-grade class learns history, language and American culture through reading the legend of John Henry, an African-American laborer who defeats a machine at driving spikes into railroad ties. Walters lets the class listen to blues singer B.B. King's rendition of John Henry and discusses the creation of blues music in African-American history.
She enjoys seeing children, who don't respond to traditional learning methods, become interested in learning through music and the fine arts. "I want to help the children find the artist within them."
Gary Kubota, Star-Bulletin
