Marcella Morton

Marcella Morton retired from the Westville Public School system after a total of 28 years. She spent those years teaching various subjects in grades four through eight. She served as chairperson of the Social Studies Department for 10 of her 28 years, 12 years as Student Council sponsor, four years as the GEAR UP Director and was a two-time recipient of Westville’s Teacher of the Year award.

Marcella, who grew up as low-income, first generation, minority, from a one parent household, says, "I have much in common with the students I interact with. As a person who has always loved kids, my background allows me to share personal experience and knowledge to encourage students to work hard, set goals, and achieve to their fullest potential."

After losing a dear friend to breast cancer, Ms. Morton committed to a complete lifestyle change that included running, yoga, strength training and joining Weight Watchers. Setting personal goals and working hard to achieve them became a driving force in her life and she shares those experiences with her students. She has found that her story motivates and encourages many students to work harder to achieve, both in the classroom and in their personal lives. In turn, the motivation of her students led her to move from being an overweight runner to qualifying for and running in the Boston Marathon in 2003.

Marcella lives in Westville with her husband Leon, has two daughters, Shawna and Desi, and one grandson, Brodie