Morris Triplets Make Special Education a Family Affair at MMSD

It isn’t often that you hear about siblings, let alone triplets, working within the same organization in similar roles. But that is the reality for LaShonda, LaTonda and LaRonda Morris, triplets who work as special education assistants (SEAs) for MMSD.

LaShonda saw a job posting for MMSD’s Thoreau Elementary, and applied. Soon after she began her role, it didn’t take much convincing for LaTonda and LaRonda to follow in their sister’s footsteps, eventually joining LaShonda at the district.

Typically tasked with supporting students with disabilities on an academic, emotional and behavioral level, SEAs serve a pivotal role in the success of students at MMSD. Support can range from assisting students with mobility and operating assistive technology to helping to support small group instruction. 

Serving as SEAs at the elementary school level, LaTonda and LaRonda have similar experiences. LaTonda, an SEA at Anana Elementary, works with a small group of both nonverbal and Spanish-speaking students. Similarly, LaRonda, an SEA at Stephens Elementary, works with a small group of students, some with Individualized Education Programs and some without.

Unlike her sisters, LaShonda supports middle school students with IEPs and other needs at Cherokee Heights Middle School. 

“You just have to show up every day and be consistent,” she said. “If you don’t show up, they know. They’ll ask, ‘where were you?’”

Asked what they enjoy most about being SEAs for MMSD, all three shared their love for building relationships with their students and seeing them reach new milestones.

“The kids are top tier,” LaShonda said. 

For LaTonda, it has been rewarding to watch students grow. “I had one specific student that was at the daycare I [used to] work at. Then I saw him in first grade when I started here, and now he’s in third grade.”

While creating connections with students and staff has been helpful, all three sisters mentioned the importance of connecting with families as well.

“That family connection helps,” LaTonda said. “When I know what’s going on outside of school, it helps me better support them inside the classroom.”

To learn more about the district’s special education services and supports, visit the MMSD special education webpage.