The year was 1975. After living in Irondequoit for the first 10 years of my life, my family moved to Webster at the start of my 5th grade year. I remember touring Plank Road North with my mom and feeling nervous the way a ten year old little girl would be going to a brand new school. I was placed in Miss Morse’s 5th grade class.  Little did I know, that placement would influence my life in so many very important ways!

I became a teacher because of Miss Morse and the immense impact she had on me as a child and young adult. She was simply an incredibly sensitive  teacher who taught with her heart and soul! Miss Morse became a close family friend and guided me throughout my career. In fact, in 1988, we were both thrilled to be teaching side-by-side in the very same building in which we had first met 13 years before as student and teacher!  Our friendship had come full circle; and if that wasn’t enough- there’s more!

Though I didn’t know it at the time, my future husband, the love of my life,  was also in that 5th grade class! After attending junior and senior high school together, Jeff and I were reacquainted at a dear friend’s wedding. He asked me to dance and we have been dancing together ever since! The year was 1989, 14 years after we were in Miss Morse’s fifth grade class together! We were married on July 20, 1991 and Miss Morse did a beautiful reading at our wedding! She even brought our 5th grade class picture to display! My husband and I still live in Webster, raised our family in Webster, and sent our 3 children to Webster schools!  And, of course, I still teach here in Webster! 

I thank God everyday for our move to Webster, my placement in Joanne Morse’s 5th grade class, and for meeting my soulmate back in 1975 in that very classroom!

Leslie Jones

Literacy Specialist Teacher

Klem South Elementary

There are several people I need to thank, beyond Leslie, for participating in the creation of this story. Holy Trinity in Webster, NY allowed me the use of one of their classrooms to create that 70s era feel, Leslie's husband Jeff, teacher extraordinaire Joanne Morse, the six students (as well as their parents) who were terrific actors and my daughter Emma for her personal assistance!

Linda Hayes

We'd love to hear what you think of Leslie's story and the resulting photograph. Leave us a comment.

Each and every person that I met in relation to this project inspired me one way or the other.  Kim opened my eyes to the various challenges faced by educators who work with the developmentally disabled student. Her story speaks to the desire to help, always help, those in need.  That desire evolved and has turned into a passion that is very clear when you see her at work in her classroom.  She provides a calm and positive environment for students and staff which, in turn, gets positive results.

In her words:

My teaching passion started as a nursing student in my last clinical rotation. I was asked to teach a third grade class about the parts of the human eye. I was so excited and prepared a great lesson. I went home and told my husband (at the time) that I was going back to school to be a teacher. This is where my teaching adventure started. Through many discouraging situations including a divorce, being a single mom of an infant, working three to four jobs, having no health care, no pay on vacations, summer and holidays, and never giving up on my passion, I can say I am honored to teach in the Webster Central School District. I get to grow and learn from my students every day -- just as much as they grow and learn. I love going to work and have finally found my career home.

Kimberly Dobson

Special Education Teacher

Schlegel Road Elementary

To read more about this project and other participant's stories Click Here or go to previous posts.  Thank you for visiting and make sure to leave a comment!