A Journey into Teaching: Dr. Morse’s Reflections from the Upper Elementary Classroom
“Steppingstone is dedicated to providing a learning environment for the unique needs of gifted children – academically, intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally“
The Upper Elementary class started on December 17, 2024, when its first student, Francis Hyun, began attending Steppingstone as a 4th grade student. Until then, I had been entertaining myself with restoring Kiyo’s 1978 Mercedes 450 SL, improving my big 3D printer, building a 6D robotic arm, chopping weeds, mowing the lawn, and teaching at the SMART Center. But, when the opportunity arose to teach again, I took advantage of it because I had never taught just one student.
The Power of One-on-One Mentorship
This experience taught me a lot. The research on teaching says that the best way to teach a student is as a mentor – information flows in both directions. The student learns subject material from the teacher, and the teacher learns about the learning style, strengths, and weaknesses of the student, and indeed, we both learned from each other. Being able to teach one-on-one was an eye-opening experience. As this educational relationship progressed, I wondered if this could be expanded to more students.
Expanding the Classroom with New Perspectives
I got to test this idea when Declan Kemp, a 3rd grader, arrived on April 9th, 2025. He was a very different student with a different approach to problem-solving. Again, he had much to teach me, and I had much to teach him. Mentoring two very different learners showed me that I could adjust my style to this classroom environment.
Together, we built a classroom culture rooted in mutual respect, discovery, and adaptability. I now feel excited by the possibility of welcoming even more learners into this dynamic environment.
Hands-On Learning and Student Leadership
Our classroom had the oldest students in the school this year and, as such, led the school in activities like the Rouge River Testing, Salmon in the Classroom, and, most exciting, the SLIME experience (Sea Lampreys in Michigan Education). They worked to monitor the salmon tank for nitrogen by-products (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate), kept the salmon fed, managed the baby tortoise, fed the adult tortoises, and cared for the saltwater fish.
Through these activities, my students didn’t just learn science – they lived it. They also took their first steps in becoming mentors themselves, learning how to guide others as they had been guided.
A Community That Teaches Everyone
If there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate most about Steppingstone, it’s that this is far more than a school. It is a living, evolving community that supports growth – not only for its students but also for its teachers.
In my tie with Francis and Declan, I’ve learned that even after decades of working in science, research and education, there is still so much to be discovered – especially from the minds of young, gifted students.
Teaching at Steppingstone has been a privilege. I may have started this year thinking I’d be passing on knowledge, but I ended it deeply grateful for everything I learned from the best teachers of all: the kids.