Cindy Morris

About Cindy: Born Oct. 24, 1964. She and her husband, Edwin, live in Dyer and have two sons, Nicholas, 9, and Ben, 7. Bachelor's degree in environmental health from Purdue University. Master's degree in education from Boston College. Employed by Thornton Township School District 205 for seven years. Loves spending time with her children.

Accomplishments: Cindy Morris is the science department chairperson at Thornwood High School. She works with 13 teachers daily and instructs a lab based biology class. Morris is a house leader for the Freshman Academy that helps students make the transition to high school and offers courses to help anchor and provide insight on an area of interest with coordinating curriculum: Arts and Communication; Health and Human Services; or Business, Engineering, Natural Resources and Technology. Additionally, Morris chairs Senior Project, a district requirement for graduation. Students begin sophomore year to spend time with a mentor in a career field of their choice; junior year they decide on a career choice for the project and work with an adviser on a plan and for placement with someone in the community in that field. The project culminates senior year with a presentation. "The purpose is to get kids out in the community and allow them to experience potential careers," she said. "For a lot

of the kids, it will connect the dots for them as to why we have them do things in school." Morris applauds the school's initiative. "Teaching at Thornwood really gives us an opportunity to reach out and help kids connect to the future and consider opportunities that are out there before them. We're doing the best we can to prepare students for what they'll experience after high school. There is a real team effort to help every student," she added.

Personal heroes: "Mary Beth Johnson, of Munster, who mentored me my first year and Elaine Lesniak, my French teacher at Bishop Noll."

Advice: "It's important to get to know yourself and have faith that things will work out."

Why I'm in education: "It's the most important thing I can spend my time doing, molding people's lives and providing opportunities."

- SUE BERO, TIMES CORRESPONDENT