Says, “Educational leadership is not just about managing a school or organization. It’s about fostering an environment where everyone – students, teachers, staff, and parents – can thrive.”

By Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Davia’ Morrison, EdD, is a born-and-raised Longview educator whose family, heritage and career are deeply rooted in the city and, especially, its young people. She and husband Matt Morrison adore their children Daevon, Buddha, and Morgan with a degree of devotion that enfolds both themselves and their hometown.

“When I reflect on what my husband means to me and our kids it’s hard to capture the full depth of his impact in just a few words,” she says. “He is the heart of our family, the steady presence that keeps us grounded, and the source of so much love, joy and peace.”

Morrison’s adoration of her spouse is total and eternal as she praises him for his “support, kindness, and unwavering support to our family. He is my rock, and I am so grateful to walk this journey of life with him by my side.”

She speaks lovingly of Matt’s relationship to their children as he guides them unerringly down the road of life.

“His patience, humor and dedication to our family make our family stronger and more united. He teaches our kids the value of relationships, the importance of perseverance and the power of a loving, supportive home,” she says. “Watching him be the amazing father and husband that he is fills my heart with gratitude and pride.”

But wait, there is more.

The powerful influence family has made on Morrison is not limited to her husband. Her parents were powerful factors in shaping her vital career path. She points out how her mother, Rozie Johnson-Hollins, utilized a nurturing spirit and unconditional support to impress on her daughter the value of empathy, kindness, and education and that asking for help when it is needed is crucial.

“She showed me how to listen with an open heart and how small acts of love can make a big difference in the lives of others,” she says. “Her resilience, especially during challenging times, has always been a source of inspiration for me.”

Her father David Waterhouse, Jr. encouraged his daughter through his own dedication to responsibility and commitment to achieving goals via hard work. He always strove to do his best in spite of obstacles.

“From him I learned the importance of discipline and accountability. His approach to life, grounded in practicality and clear thinking, has influenced how I approach challenges and opportunities.”

In addition, the newly minted Doctor of Education credits her Christian faith for influencing her to embrace humility, live with purpose, seek tranquility and contentment in relationships and actions. Her moral approach to life motivates her to strive to make the world a better place for everyone. She wasted no time preparing for her lifetime of service.

“In my senior year of high school I started taking courses at Kilgore College,” she says. “Being a hometown girl, and not wanting to go too far from home, I started my bachelor’s at LeTourneau University.”

Her next move was to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she majored in exercise sport science and minored in English. After pulling down her degree, she returned to LeTourneau and grabbed degrees in business administration and educational leadership. Lamar University recently awarded her a doctoral degree in educational leadership. She even earned teaching, principal, and superintendent certifications.

“I chose to pursue courses in educational leadership because I believe that effective leadership is key to creating positive change in our schools and communities,” she says.

Moreover, Dr. Morrison’s time in classrooms has taught her the value of strong leadership, elevates both students and faculty and improves the overall educational experience. It was a powerful incentive for her to work for ever-increasing skills and knowledge that would enable Morrison to make a positive impact on a broad scale. Hence, her study in educational leadership makes it possible for her to improve school culture, enhance student achievement and advocate for policies that have a positive impact on education in general.

“Educational leadership is not just about managing a school or organization. It’s about fostering an environment where everyone – students, teachers, staff, and parents – can thrive,” she says. “I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how to lead with vision, empathy and purpose and be equipped with the tools to make thoughtful, impactful decisions that support the growth and success of all learners.”

Morrison presently serves as IB/PYP coordinator with the Longview Independent School District at Ware East Texas Montessori. Additionally, she has worked as an assistant principal, adjunct professor, reading and language arts master teacher, and as a basketball, track, and softball coach.

“After sixteen years in the education field I can honestly say that every day has been a new opportunity for growth, learning and making a meaningful impact,” she says. “Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with countless students, teachers and families, and each experience has shaped me in ways I could never have anticipated when I first started.”

There is more.

Morrison has witnessed how a single moment of perception can spark a breakthrough in students’ enthusiasm for learning, and how a positive classroom environment can instill confidence and success in a struggling student. Her ardent belief in the power of education to make a positive difference is what motivates her to work extremely hard toward this goal and to keep getting even better at what she does. She realizes it is an unending process that she considers a reward as much for herself as for her students.

“My commitment to education is rooted in the belief that learning is a lifelong process. As educators we don’t just teach. We inspire, challenge, and create spaces for students to explore their own passions and potential,” she says. “It is an incredible privilege to be part of their educational journey, and I am excited for the positive impact we can continue to have together.”

Morrison has filled many roles in her career as it has been a journey of growth, resilience, and dedication. She sees every step, challenge and opportunity as playing a vital part in making her into a paladin of learning. Her career path has taken her down many avenues.

After starting out as a teacher she made time to tutor less experienced teachers and took on various positions of leadership. Every experience made her a better communicator, better problem solver and more effective advocate for her students and colleagues. Most significantly, however, she learned that being a leader is not so much about the titles she holds, but about the quality of the service she provides. Truly effective leaders enable those around them to grow, collaborate and succeed. She eagerly points again to her Christian faith as the main source of her success.

By steering herself down the straight and narrow she insures that her goals are dictated by humility, compassion, and integrity. By motivating her to move forward with a pure heart her devotion to God assures her of the highest chances of success when she interacts with struggling students, rookie teachers or in working towards positive evolution of the educational system.

“My faith challenges me to lead with love and empathy, to seek justice and fairness for all and to create a learning environment where everyone, no matter their background or circumstances, feels values and supported,” she says.

Despite her lifelong and ongoing accomplishments in providing first class education for young East Texans, Morrison has little interest in awards, titles, and accolades. She cares only about success in her vital objective of preparing succeeding generations for lifetimes of success. Empowering her students to reach their greatest potential is the only trophy she seeks. For her, education is a sure route to positive transformation of the community as a whole. Her workdays are dynamic and enjoyable.

For this reason, Morrison arrives at Ware East Texas Montessori well before the school bell rings. She starts her workday by checking in with her administrative team, greeting her arriving teachers, reviewing updates, and making certain everything is ready for a fruitful day of work and learning. After classes commence, she sees to a wide spectrum of matters, visits classrooms and savors the creative classroom energy she seeks. Importantly, she maintains a hands-on approach to science experiments, group projects and literacy lessons as she observes their progress and gives feedback.

“Sometimes, I’m helping teachers navigate a challenge, while at other times I’m collaborating with them on new initiatives or professional development opportunities,” she says.

Furthermore, she has her hands full overseeing her job’s operational aspects including addressing students’ behavior, parental concerns, working closely with the school counsellor and special education team. And she knows how to expect the unexpected.

“There are moments of unexpected decisions, difficult conversations and urgent situations that demand my attention,” she says. “It’s in these moments that my role as a leader becomes most meaningful, whether it’s problem-solving with the team, supporting a staff member or ensuring that students have what they need to succeed.”

Her workdays combine leadership, collaboration, problem-solving and connection as she balances various critical issues in order to create a learning environment in which all her students realize they are valued, supported, and inspired to learn, grow, and succeed. She cherishes moments when a student “gets it” after struggling with a concept or other assignment or when he shares a new idea or concept. It is an experience she describes as “priceless”.

Despite Morrison’s love for her calling, she constantly has to overcome the unavoidable challenges it sets in front of her. The pressures of having to be not only an educator, but a counsellor, mentor, mediator and even a social worker have to weigh heavily on her and her colleagues. The needs of students are diverse and must be met constantly and repeatedly. She meets and overcomes these hurdles totally and without hesitation and has clear and definite advice for those considering a career in education.

Being passionate and totally committed to this line of work is absolutely essential due to its critical impact on society. One must keep the big picture in mind and be prepared to address endless challenges in this, one of the most impactful of all vocations. It is crucial to be dedicated to properly molding young minds, inspiring curiosity, fostering a passion for learning and being willing and able to adapt to the constant changes and trials this field sets before its professionals. The future is at stake.

“Be a lifelong learner,” she says. “The education field is constantly evolving, with new research, tools and strategies emerging all the time. Being flexible and open to change will make you a better educator.”

Likewise, Morrison  emphasizes that education is about people and relationships. Apart from sharing information, the relationships that are formed with colleagues, students and their families create this profession’s overall, creative nature. It is essential to get to know students, listen to them and radiate a sense of caring. Students need to feel seen, heard, valued, and taken seriously in order to achieve later, vocational success. This approach is also vital in collaborating with colleagues to ensure there is a strong, mutually supportive, and hence successful team. Still, all this responsibility ends up with many educators forgetting to take care of themselves.

“Make self-care a priority,” she says. “You can’t pour from an empty cup, so make sure you’re investing in your own well-being to stay energized and passionate in the long tun.”

Morrison’s concluding pearl of advice is for  aspiring educators realize that because of the imponderable value of their profession they are among the most powerful people in the world. They are in a position to inspire, challenge and make overall lasting differences in the lives of their students. This engenders both immense responsibility and endless implications for society. Staying utterly committed and on the straight and narrow is vital to having a critically significant, positive impact. She does not limit her community service to the Longview Independent School District, either.

She works with the City of Longview Youth Basketball League, the Longview Girls’ Softball Association, and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated. She helps food banks, fundraising and initiatives that assist needly families.

“Longview has a strong sense of unity, and I want to be part to the effort to ensure every individual has access to the resources they need,” she says.

She also contributes her time and toil to educational causes separate from her job at Ware. Therefore, she participates in community forums on education, supports parent-teacher associations and advocates for policies that benefit local schools.

“My goal is to be a contributing member of the Longview community who is not only focused on my work in education but is also committed to helping the entire community grow and flourish. It’s about strengthening connections, building support systems and insuring that Longview remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”