Peeples Elementary school nutrition manager Emily Morris and her crew fuel the Rockets for a day full of learning.
Each meal they serve brings students much-needed energy so they can be the best, most successful student they can be.
“My reason is just knowing that my little job is making an impact on these kids and that we’re providing them with the most nutritious meal that they can get in order to carry over into their academics,” said Morris.
She has been with the Fayette County’s school nutrition program for about 13 years and a manager for 10. Two years ago she moved over to Peeples Elementary.
Morris found an interest in cooking early on. She took home economics and food science classes at Starr’s Mill High and that led her towards culinary school at Southern Crescent Technical College.
Some of the most important lessons were learned in her family’s kitchen at home.
“I had a lot of knowledge passed on to me from my mother and my grandmother. They’re both really excellent home cooks,” said Morris. “I was always watching what they were doing.”
They cooked with love, and so does Morris.
“That carries over into what we do here at school. You’ve got to love what you do and put care and thought into it to make everything the best you can for the kids.”
Morris has two teammates on her crew, and the trio pour their hearts out every day to feed the Rockets.
“Team is the word for it because it sure wouldn’t happen without everybody being involved,” said Morris. “We take time to sit down together. We have a lot of good conversations and build relationships.”
It fills her heart to know she a purpose and that what she’s doing matters.
“You have to be really caring and try to make the biggest impact you can,” she said. “You teach them a few things and get them to try new things.”
Morris appreciates all of the many students who thank them every day they come through the lunch line.
“It means something to us because we are being servants. We’re doing our very best to make sure that they get what they need to make their day successful, and that’s just the biggest thing that fills your heart,” she said. “It just makes you realize that what you’re doing matters.”
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811.
Posted 3/4/2025
