{"id":12293,"date":"2021-06-05T16:47:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-05T21:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=12293"},"modified":"2025-12-18T16:48:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:48:53","slug":"2021-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-gavin-morris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2021-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-gavin-morris\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Honoree Gavin Morris"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The passion Gavin Morris pours into his day-to-day teaching lifestyle as the Director of Bands at Excelsior Springs High School and Middle School has been evident for the past six years. He\u2019s worked to develop a strong culture that his students can carry with them into the next chapters of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCulture is everything to me,\u201d said Morris. \u201cI\u2019m proud of the environment that we\u2019ve created at Excelsior (Excelsior Springs High School & Middle School). Making music is what we do, but the way in which we do it makes me most proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Morris came into the role, he was given the freedom to teach his way<\/em> and wasn\u2019t confined to the style of past educators, which in turn has led to a very successful career at Excelsior Springs. Morris said this type of freedom gave him immediate confidence in his methods and strengthened the understanding of the rest of the administration of the power of the fluidity of his work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a young age, Morris was presented with a piece of advice that continues to motivate him daily. \u201cNo matter what content you teach, the most important thing is to remember that YOU are the reason some of these kids want to get out of bed in the morning and come to school,\u201d said Morris. \u201cThey want to see YOU. They want to spend time with YOU.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gavin<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As for his students, Morris consistently reminds them to be mindful of how they speak, and to be careful of the words they specifically choose to use. He says a person\u2019s character, and who someone is, is far more important than any rating or personal achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrophies and accolades are just by-products of what we do and how hard we work,\u201d said Morris. \u201cI would much rather have students who are coachable and want to work hard, than students who are simply \u2018talented\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morris says this type of approach makes it simple, and more enjoyable, for students to understand the concept of a team. He takes pride in the fact that his band isn\u2019t defined by who sits in the first chair, but is recognized for its strength in all<\/em> chairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having lived in Kansas City for 30 years, Morris has a strong bond with Sporting Kansas City. He obtained his teaching degree from Missouri Western State University and is truly honored to be selected as a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo have (Excelsior Springs) staff members in my building recommend me for this truly shows how amazing our school is,\u201d said Morris. \u201cAs a massive Sporting KC fan, this is a dream come true. To be able to see the locker room, the stadium, where the players prepare for matches, and, of course, walking out of the doors and onto the pitch\u2014amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gavin<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGavin works extremely hard for his students,\u201d said Casey Kennedy, one of the four people who nominated Morris to be a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan. \u201cHe dedicates so much time to his students to make sure they have the best musical education they can get. Additionally, he leads worship at his church every Sunday and is constantly seeking new avenues to get his students involved and keep them excited about music.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs Gavin\u2019s nominator mentions, he doesn\u2019t settle for the bare minimum. He is always working to enhance the education and lives of those he teaches on a daily basis,\u201d said Christa Dubill, Blue KC Chief Communications Officer. \u201cGavin is a key contributor in the development of our local high school and middle school children and we\u2019re honored to recognize him as a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan and look forward to showcasing his accomplishments to the entire Kansas City community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>

Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Program<\/p> <\/div>\n

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