Morris comes to ECMS from Natchez, Miss. where he served as superintendent of Adams County schools from 2003 through the 2010-11 school year. Morris also spent four years, from 1994 through 1997, as principal of Natchez High School. In between his jobs in Natchez Morris also spent six years as director of human resources in his hometown of Batesville, Miss. Prior to his work in administration Morris said he also spent years teaching middle and high school math.

Morris is a graduate of both the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State and comes to the Escambia County school system with a total of 27 years of experience working in the field of education.

“I was somewhat recruited I guess you would say,” Morris said of his reasons for making the move to ECMS. “I was eligible for retirement in Mississippi so I just thought I would do something different.”

Morris comes to Atmore with his wife and two sons, a thirteen-year-old attending ECMS and a sixteen-year-old attending Escambia County High School.

“It’s been great so far,” he said of the transition. “I’ve enjoyed it. We’re still getting settled in, but so far it’s been great.”

ECMS principal Linda Shuford said Morris has been a tremendous edition to the school’s staff.

“He’s truly been an asset,” Shuford said. “He’s visible, he’s in the classroom and he demands respect from the students.”

Morris also said the change has been almost seamless and expects to enjoy long-term success at ECMS.

“A little bit of the terminology is different but there are no major changes,” he said. “It really has been a very smooth transition.”

Morris’ duties at ECMS include everything from enforcing rules to overseeing faculty for seventh and eighth grade students as well as managing the day-to-day functions of the two grades

“When you say assistant principal everybody generally automatically assumes discipline,” Morris said. “Discipline is a part of it but there are a lot of curriculum and instruction things as well, because I am responsible for supervising all of the teachers and the seventh and eighth grade, all subject areas.”

Morris said while the 2010-11 school year has not brought any major changes to ECMS he looks forward to helping the school grow and progress in the years to come.