Morgan News

Hello Morgan Elementary Families!

It is with great excitement that I’m writing to you today, as I prepare to join Utica Community Schools, and your amazing school community! My name is Rebekah Leist, and I am thrilled and honored to introduce myself as the new principal at Morgan Elementary.

I have been a PK-12 principal for 14 years, and an educator for 22. I love my job, my school community, and working with children every day! I have a bachelors degree in English, with minors in History and secondary education, from Grand Valley State University, and a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. After 9 years as a middle and high school English teacher, I returned to Grand Valley to pursue Educational Leadership, and earned my K-12 School Administrator certificate. As you can see, I love learning, and love having a job where I get to inspire others to learn every day! 

  grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Michigan, so being outside and exploring the natural environment is natural for me. I also developed a love for reading, gardening, cooking, and exercise at an early age, and I continue to love all of those hobbies today. In high school, I also became interested in writing, and have continued to explore that throughout my life in many ways.  There are so many amazing things to learn about, both from the world around us and each other! I cannot wait to learn with all of you this year!

I became a K-12 principal 14 years ago at the same school where I started teaching, and have loved working with the staff and families there. I also have 15 years of experience teaching writing at our community college, and working with preschoolers through college students gives me a unique perspective of our education system, and what to focus on to make sure kids are getting what they need. I am passionate about teaching literacy, social and emotional skills, and building confidence in all learners. I know I am doing what I am meant to do, and it has been my honor to work with so many students and families over the years. Being in a smaller school has taught me the value of school community, and it is my main goal every day to help create a safe and welcoming school community for every single person who walks through our door. 

As an educator, UCS stood out to me because of the value it places on individual belonging, bigger community connections, and high expectations with a wide variety of learning opportunities. As a principal, my door is always open; let’s celebrate every win and work through each challenge together, as a community should. I look forward to getting to know all of you, and working together to ensure that Morgan Elementary continues to be an amazing place to be! 

Sincerely,

 

Rebekah Leist

We hope everyone is having a great summer! For those planning ahead, please see these links for our suggested school supply list:

• Kindergarten 
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Specialists and Office