Anna Morton Class of 2010

Interview by Aneara Burns. Photo courtesy of Anna Morton.

Friendship always makes sure to take great care of its alumni, always providing them with opportunities such as job positions, networking opportunities and whatever resources they need to be successful. Anna Morton is a perfect example of Friendship's ongoing relationships with alumni. I had the opportunity to talk to her about her career, college experience and working at Friendship.

Aneara: What college did you attend and what was your major?

Anna: I went to undergrad at SUNY Buffalo State. I studied early childhood education and minored in English, and I got my master's in education, focusing on literacy reading. 

Aneara: What was your college experience like? 

Anna: I was sheltered a lot in my life. And then I branched out within Collegiate. It was more diverse than what I was used to, but it heightened during college. College is very much about exploring, or not even exploring, getting to know who you are, getting to know your likes and dislikes. It was a great experience. I would do it again, at any part of my life.  

Aneara: Are there any obstacles you had to face, or any struggles that you overcame? 

Anna: I would say my biggest obstacle would have been asking for help. I have always been very independent and tried to do things on my own. But in college, I found a great community within my peers and with my professors. Looking back, I wish I utilized them more because they were a great resource, and I didn't find that out until my senior year.

Aneara: What has been your career path? 

Anna: I'm an educator. I have always been in early childhood education or primary education. I have taught kindergarten, first and second grade.This year I'm teaching special education, which is new for me. But I am also very much interested in international education and travel. I lived abroad for a few years teaching English and other core subjects. 

Aneara: What advice would you give to the Class of 2024 at Collegiate?

Anna: Try everything. I transferred to Collegiate my 10th grade year. My mom transferred me there for the opportunities, activities and  clubs that it had and I never took advantage of it. I was shy, very quiet, and I was very apprehensive to join anything, but I wish I had. I don't know if I would have loved it, but I really wish I did that at that point in my life. If there's something that anyone else is interested in, try it twice, and then you know, you'll find out if you love it or not.

Aneara: What is one lesson that Collegiate taught you for life after high school?  

Anna: Don't judge a book by its cover. I'm born and raised in DC, and  it's not expected when I say that. I think it's very funny when people assume anything, I feel like that's the biggest thing. Just don't judge a book by its cover. Get to know who a person is, and then you'll find out their story.

Aneara: How do you feel about Friendship as a whole and how it treats its alumni?

Anna: I love telling this story, I just told it at the alumni event. Mr. Craig was one of my 10th grade ELA teachers who I followed on social media after I graduated. I don't know how it is now, but following our high school teachers on Facebook was a big thing. He noticed that I was in education, and I had graduated, and that year he reached out to me and said, “Hey, you graduated in education, come interview at one of our schools. We're looking for a primary teacher.” I wasn’t sure, because, to be honest, I did have a very challenging time at Collegiate. I wasn't sure I wanted to go back. But having that opportunity, and hearing from someone who recognizes that there is something there in me, was really powerful. 

Alumni Editor Aneara Burns is a junior at Arizona State University and a 2020 graduate of Friendship Collegiate Academy.