Chris Morrison wears many hats at Purdue University Northwest (PNW), where he serves as the secretary of the Westville Warriors and treasurer of S.H.I.N.E., a student-led organization dedicated to spreading positivity and kindness. An educator and advocate, Morrison has also left his mark as a mentor, encouraging students to explore new perspectives through literature and community engagement. Morrison is also an eighth-grade English teacher at Fegely Middle School in Portage, Indiana.
"I've always wanted to be a teacher,” Morrison said. "I graduated from PNW in May, so I'm almost done with my first semester teaching full time. English has long been a passion of mine! I believe it's one of the most important subjects you can learn because everything uses English- no matter what career you go into, you're going to have to know how to read, you have to know how to write well."
Morrison’s journey as an educator began with his own transformative experience in high school.
“I tell my students I didn’t like reading at first. It wasn't until my sophomore year of high school that I fell in love with it,” Morrison said. “I used to only read the Stephen King books my mom gave me, but nothing resonated with me until I found ‘The Catcher in the Rye.’ It was the first book where I thought, ‘Oh, books can be about this?’ It came at a time when I was dealing with a move and mental health struggles, and it just clicked. That experience made me want to teach others.”
This revelation sparked Morrison’s passion for literature, which he now shares with his eighth grade students through a diverse curriculum, reading books like “The Diary of Anne Frank” and The Giver.”
“We also explore poetry from different cultures, and it’s rewarding to see students learn about and celebrate cultures they didn’t know much about before.”
Morrison incorporates song lyrics from popular artists like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Kendrick Lamar into his lessons to help students connect with poetry in a modern context. By analyzing the themes, wordplay, and emotional depth in these songs, Morrison demonstrates how music and poetry share similar tools for storytelling and expression. This approach not only makes poetry more accessible but also shows students how it relates to their lives and the art they already enjoy.
Morrison’s admiration for literature goes beyond the classics. He is particularly inspired by Sylvia Plath, whom he cites as his favorite poet.
“She broke barriers by openly discussing mental health, especially as a woman during a time when issues like depression and anxiety were dismissed,” he said. “Her poems also celebrate joy, like one about the beauty of beekeeping. She humanized the struggles of mental health while showing there are still happy moments.”
In addition to his teaching role, Morrison’s involvement with S.H.I.N.E. has been a standout aspect of his work at PNW. This student organization strives to help boost the confidence of any student struggling with self-esteem and motivation by providing small acts of kindness around campus. The organization’s initiatives can easily be considered as Morrison’s core values.
“At PNW, one of our biggest accomplishments was publishing two children’s books through S.H.I.N.E., a group that promotes kindness and literacy,” Morrison said. “It started as my idea, and we worked as a team to write and illustrate them. The first book was about cats, and the second featured zoo animals. It was fun and amazing to promote kindness and literacy, even through something as simple as a children’s book.”
Through these creative projects, Morrison has helped students see the impact their work can have on the community. The children’s books not only encourage kindness but also inspire young readers to develop an early love of learning.
“The Warriors are focused on making sure every student feels valued, whether it’s addressing scheduling challenges or organizing fundraisers and events to support education,” Morrison explained. “We’re here to meet the needs of the campus and the surrounding community.”
In his classroom, Morrison incorporates classic and contemporary works into his lessons, helping students connect with stories and themes that resonate with their experiences. His dedication to education extends beyond academics, as he fosters a supportive classroom environment that encourages personal growth and cultural awareness.
Looking back on his path, Morrison wishes he had been more open-minded when it came to reading choices during his early years.
“I’d tell my younger self to give more books a try,” he said. “I was so focused on horror novels like Stephen King that I didn’t expand my taste until later. Also, always be kind. A simple ‘hi’ can make someone’s bad day better, so I try to do that for my coworkers and students.”
This philosophy of kindness and inclusivity extends to his daily interactions at PNW and Fegely, where Morrison’s presence as an educator and mentor is deeply felt. His passion for teaching, paired with his efforts to promote literacy and equity, continues to shape the lives of his students and colleagues.
Through his work with S.H.I.N.E., Westville Warriors, and an educator, Morrison exemplifies how small acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact. Whether he’s introducing students to new perspectives through literature or empowering them to make a difference in their community, Morrison’s dedication to education and empathy shines brightly in every group he’s a part of.