This year, Teacher of the Year was presented to Spanish teacher Jordan Bean, marking a milestone in his career. He was recognized for the award during Upperclassmen Awards and then was handed the award at the Underclassmen Award ceremony on May 29th.

For more than three decades, rather than being decided by the administration, The Morgan School has traditionally allowed the Student Council and Student Government to recognize excellence in the classroom through the award.

This is Mr. Bean’s 10th year teaching Spanish for Clinton Public Schools, and he has been a very important part of the World Language department.

This year, student body executive president Junior Taylor Breen gave the Teacher of the Year speech at the underclassmen awards; she presented the award to Jordan Bean.

“After voting, everyone agreed that he was the best pick because of how much work he puts in and how much time he gives to all his students,” Breen said.

“The students felt that he wasn’t just a teacher, but also somebody that they could talk to, and someone outside of the school who would always be at different sporting events, to pitch in, and how he also stepped up and took part in the track team, which was struggling to find a coach at the beginning of the season,” Breen shared.This award is given every year to Teachers who have not received it in the last four years. The award reflects the teacher’s year and how hard they work for their students.

To get him to the upperclassman night ceremony, his co-workers had to convince him to go by telling him he needed to help set up. What he didn’t know was that he wouldn’t be alone. “My wife was there; my mom was there; my uncle was there [as well as my two sisters, and my son, Luca,” Bean explained.

Bean was very surprised when he received the award. “Getting the award was really special, and I would have never thought I would have been recognized, and it’s meaningful because it came from the students, ” he said.

Mr Bean has taken on several roles at Morgan. This year, he became an Indoor Track coach for the first time and later stepped in as a Track coach for both indoor and outdoor due to unforeseen circumstances. He previously coached basketball but decided to step away from that role. In addition to coaching, he served as one of the senior class advisors, where he organized prom and senior trips to support the senior class

Mr Bean felt that getting this award in front of his whole family was the best feeling ever. “My family appeared out of nowhere; I was completely shocked and had no idea what was coming. I felt honored because this award was voted by students, which made the recognition even more special, and he described the feeling as honored, grateful, and excited,” said Bean.

Mr. Bean will continue to make a name for himself and make an impact on the students at Morgan.

He felt that getting this award was more than Teacher of the Year, but he feels that “cherishing the relationships with teachers and students is more important than anything.”