Robert Morris never imagined he would return to KIPP DC as a teacher. A 2015 KIPP DC College Preparatory graduate, Robert’s journey took him from the football field to corporate roles before leading him back to the classroom. Now, as a teacher and football coach at KIPP DC Legacy College Prep, he’s found a career that excites and fulfills him.
After graduating high school, Robert played college football and earned his degree in December 2019. He was on the path to a corporate career when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, disrupting job opportunities. “No companies were getting back to me,” he recalled. “I was just working every kind of job that I could find just to have some kind of money in my pocket.” From landscaping to customer service, he explored various roles before landing in sales and finance. However, he quickly realized that these fields lacked the fulfillment he was seeking. “The pay was good, but I did not enjoy going to work every day,” he admitted.
While working as a revenue analyst, Robert met with one of his past teachers who presented him with the opportunity to begin coaching football at KCP. “I just wanted something to fulfill me with a little bit of happiness,” he said. But his involvement with KIPP DC didn’t stop at KCP. Encouraged by familiar faces, including former teachers and peers now working at KIPP DC, Robert began his career in education. “I think I would like being in the kids’ space and being in education,” he reflected, acknowledging that his mother had predicted this path years earlier. “She told me years ago that I’d be a really good teacher.”
Robert became an in-house substitute at Legacy College Preparatory, but his role quickly evolved. When the school needed someone to teach AP History, Robert stepped up. “I was essentially thrown into the fire,” he laughed. Robert quickly formed bonds with his students. “In my head, I was still a sub, but in their minds, I was the teacher. They expected me to be the teacher.
Now, as a full-time teacher and coach, Robert is dedicated to honing his craft. “I just want to be the best teacher I can be,” he shared. He’s also part of KIPP DC’s Capital Teaching Residency (CTR) program, which has deepened his understanding of instructional strategies. “No child learns the same,” he noted. “The books they give you are really good, but the best experience is the hands-on classroom experience.”
Teaching at KIPP DC is more than a job for Robert. “This is one place where I wake up and I’m excited to go to work,” he said. His deep connection to the community fuels his passion. “It is a bit of a family here. A lot of the kids just have a lot of stuff to get off their chest, and sometimes they just want somebody to listen to them. If you’re there and you honestly just listen, they’ll fight for you, and they’ll have your back.”
When asked what advice he would give his students, Robert’s message was simple: “Enjoy the journey. Many people get focused on destinations and where they want to end up, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey, enjoy the people around you, and take notice of what you are going through to get where you want to go.”
Robert Morris’ story is a testament to the power of community, resilience, and finding purpose. His journey has come full circle, and in the process, he’s inspiring the next generation of KIPP DC students—just as his teachers once inspired him.
View photos from our visit to Robert’s Class.
Are you ready to begin your teaching journey? Apply to the Capital Teaching Residency today!
