Teaching Innovators: Anna Morrison

Anna Morrison is a lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning and has served as program coordinator for the Master of Art in teaching for the middle level, secondary and modern languages programs since 2021.

Morrison enjoys her roles in the College because they allow her to support individuals across South Carolina as they change careers, become certified teachers and enter classrooms of their own where they will impact the lives of countless students.

Morrison teaches primarily in an online, asynchronous format, and she has seen this teaching method slowly change her teaching approach and teaching philosophy. We talked to Morrison about this shift in her teaching, how family has inspired her to teach and what she loves about the College of Education.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Teaching online has led me to establish instructional priorities reflecting my commitment to providing meaningful instruction relevant to my students’ professional practice. When designing a course, I establish a clear alignment between learning objectives, course content and assessments. This thoroughness tells students that the curriculum has been thoughtfully planned to support their learning goals.

I also incorporate opportunities for differentiation in my course design and through targeted feedback to meet my students’ diverse needs and interests. This approach allows me to honor my students’ prior knowledge while challenging them to continue their academic growth through thoughtful analysis and reflection.

I also believe that course development should not be static. At the end of every semester, I carefully review and reflect on student feedback and my notes to identify the strengths of the course and areas where further revision is warranted. This approach ensures that the course continues to stay relevant and evolve in a way that supports future students’ learning goals.

Why do you love teaching?

I love teaching because I love learning. As a teacher, every time I interact with my students, there is an opportunity for a two-way exchange of knowledge. During these interactions, my goal is not only to share information with my students but also to learn something from them.

I may hear a new way of thinking about something or learn about a new strategy or tool – you never know what you might walk away with. I love being a part of that exchange. The flow of information back and forth between people is an integral part of personal and professional growth, and the opportunity to engage in that type of interaction in an academic environment is very fulfilling.

Name an educator that inspired you to teach.

My family lineage includes many strong women who were innovative teachers in formal and informal settings. One particular individual who inspired me to teach was my grandmother, Ann Elizabeth McElrath Casey. My grandmother was a high school English teacher for many years in Aiken County.

Growing up, I remember hearing about how she played piano and used music as an avenue to teach high school students who could not read and how she built a stage in her English class so her students could learn through acting. Years after she retired, students would keep in touch by writing letters and emails.

My grandmother was often asked to make an appearance at her students’ high school reunions, and in her final years, her former students visited her, and many attended her funeral when she passed away. Her life and legacy as an educator were shining examples of the positive and lasting impact teachers can have on their students’ lives. I feel fortunate to have my grandmother as an inspiration for my work.

What do you like about the College of Education?

I am thankful to work in Clemson’s College of Education; it prioritizes providing high-quality pre-service teacher education and impactful continuing education for in-service teachers. Serving as an instructional coach for elementary and middle school teachers in the Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina as part of Drs. Wenner and Whitworth’s BLAST project has allowed me to collaborate with in-service teachers seeking to further their professional growth as science educators. This critical work is possible because of the support of the College of Education. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I have been given to impact the future of education in South Carolina.

Is there any subject that you’re interested in that might surprise people?

I think ecology and human genetics are fascinating topics. My undergraduate degree was in biology, and when I retire, I hope to take more coursework in these areas.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not teaching?

When I am not teaching, you will likely find me knitting, gardening, reading or spending time with my family. If I can find ways to combine two or more of these things, that only makes it more enjoyable!