Peter Botsman Award 2001

Ed Morris

Ed Morris has been a teacher for more than twenty years, initially of Manual Arts, and then, as soon as he could affect it, of English. It was thereafter a relatively short trip to the Subject Master’s chair. In 1986 he moved to Gympie to take up just such a post at James Nash SHS where he has exercised a positive influence over students and staff ever since.

Ed has enjoyed all facets of his career, but has found his recent work with the Trial-Pilot English Senior Syllabus and the teaching of English Extension (Literature) most rewarding. It has allowed him to rethink the things that we as English teachers have become complacent about and to question why we value some things over others. Being part of the Trial-Pilot State Panel has also proved an exciting time for him by providing opportunities for new relationships through his work with colleagues from other schools.

But for Ed, in the end, it’s about kids and he has long enjoyed the opportunity to challenge and confront them by making them think new things in new ways. When pressed for a definitive approach he proffers his belief that education is not a race. And for those of us who have benefited from his leadership this has always been evident.