How Ipswich Teachers Inspired One Student’s Love for the Environment
Standing by the vernal pools behind Doyon Elementary School in fifth grade, Annabel Morris watched a salamander dart through the water. That visit sparked something that has stayed with her since: a love for the environment and appreciation for the Ipswich teachers who helped her discover it.
At the Ipswich Middle School, her interest in the environment grew stronger. Her science classes were filled with fun, hands-on activities that helped her learn more about the environment. An inspiring canoe trip with her middle school science teachers taught her about the river’s ecosystem and eventually led her to work at Foote Brothers Canoe, deepening her connection to the natural world.
Annabel holding a slug while doing a research project on mushrooms and their environment for an Ecology class.
By the time she reached the Ipswich High School, Annabel’s passion for the environment had taken root. She took Environmental Science, Marine and Coastal Biology, and Honors Sustainability Scholars classes. The passion she saw in the teachers in those classes, and the opportunities they created, gave her a solid foundation for what came next.
“The Ipswich school system will always, always have a special place in my heart.”
A highlight of her senior year of high school was receiving a Sustainability Scholarship from the Ipswich Education Foundation, funded by community donations. That scholarship helped Annabel take her next step to Wheaton College, where she’s now a sophomore as an independent major in Environmental Studies.
At Wheaton, Annabel’s classes explore both the natural and human sides of the environment. She’s building the skills she’ll need to make a difference working in wildlife conservation or sustainable business practices after she graduates.
Annabel’s story is just one example of how passionate teachers and community support change lives. You can help support a student’s journey. DONATE TODAY
Your donation to the Ipswich Education Foundation helps the next generation of Ipswich students discover their passions and pursue their dreams.
