Morgan Marshall’s road to becoming a teacher has been filled with challenges, perseverance, and an unwavering passion for education. The 33-year-old is preparing to graduate from the University of Mount Olive (UMO) in May with a degree in Early Childhood Education and is ready for the next chapter in her career to begin.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and work in the public school system,” said Marshall. “But school was never easy for me. I had to work hard for my grades in high school and at UMO. That has meant making sacrifices—missing social events and pushing myself to stay focused. But I knew I had to keep going to better my future.”
Marshall’s commitment to education extends far beyond her college studies. She has worked as a lead Pre-K teacher at Playmates Child Care and Development Center in Pine Level for the past seven years. Her hands-on experience in the classroom has reinforced her love for teaching and helped her apply what she has learned at UMO in real-world settings. Despite her busy schedule balancing a full-time job and school, Marshall has excelled academically, earning top grades. “One of my greatest achievements is going to be graduating with honors,” she said.
A simple radio advertisement influenced Marshall’s decision to enroll at UMO in the summer of 2021. Intrigued, she reached out for more information and discovered that a former coworker had graduated from the same program. That reassurance and UMO’s supportive environment sealed the decision for her academic pursuits.
“UMO has truly transformed my life,” she said. “My professors and advisor have been incredibly encouraging, helping me build confidence in myself as both a person and an educator.”
Returning to school as an adult student came with its fair share of challenges. Marshall juggles a demanding work schedule with an hour-long commute while managing online coursework. Adapting to virtual learning was initially difficult, but she remained determined.
“Technology has never been my strong suit,” she admitted. “But I had to push myself and adjust. The biggest challenge has been time —balancing everything is tough. Thankfully, I have a great support system at home and at work.”
Marshall’s love for teaching was ignited at a young age by two of her elementary school teachers whose kindness and encouragement impacted her.
“They made school a place where I felt loved and capable of anything,” she recalled. “That’s what I want to be for my students. I want to be the reason a child looks forward to coming to school and enjoys learning.”
As graduation approaches, Marshall is eager to take the next step in her career. She aspires to teach kindergarten in the public school system, ideally at the same elementary school she once attended.
“My goal is to use what I’ve learned at UMO to make a difference in early childhood education,” she said. “I want to retire knowing I impacted children’s lives, just like my teachers did for me.”
Marshall and her husband, Justin, share their Fayetteville, NC home with their beloved dog, Bella.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values.
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Yes! We love Mrs. Morgan! She is such an amazing teacher and was truly a blessing for both our boys!!