Page 11 - Newsletter_Winter_2020

SPOTLIGHT

ON FACULTY

DeWayne Morse

Class of 1982

By Erica McGary Tweedie ‘00

DeWayne Morse grew up in Littleton, ME, the son of Eva and Merlin “Cubby” Morse. He attended Littleton Elementary School and
moved on to Houlton High School in grade 6. Winter Carnival was one of his fondest memories during his time at HHS. He fondly
recalls playing a spinning wheel game during Winter Carnival and winning an album copy of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 that was like
pure gold to him as a 7th grader. He also enjoyed the open campus lunches where he walked to Harrigan’s Market to grab a bag of chips
and chocolate milk.
DeWayne was voted class clown by his graduating class along with his female counterpart, Theresa (Skehan) Lincoln. He could usually be
found with his two best buddies, Louie Fitzpatrick, and John Fitzpatrick. While DeWayne had the will and desire to participate in sports,
he notes his skills just were not there. His favorite teacher at HHS was far and away, Mrs. Betty Stone. Mrs. Stone was in total control of
the classroom and dazzled him as she read plays and novels effortlessly during class.

Upon graduating from Houlton High, DeWayne went on to the University of Maine at Orono, ultimately transferring to University of
Maine Farmington after a semester. He graduated from UMF with a degree in English. He also earned a master’s degree in educational
leadership from the University of Southern Maine later in life. After graduating from UMF, DeWayne joined the Air Force and spent a
tour at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. During this time, he earned an electronics degree and worked with ESPN and other
major networks to provide college football crowd noise and wire the referees for calls.

Finishing his tour in the Air Force, DeWayne found his way back to Houlton where he began raising his family. He worked as a carpenter
under his father, Cubby, for a decade. Cubby would build the frames of the homes and then DeWayne was sent in to do the finish work.
A broken bone in his hand put his carpentry career on hold. During this time, he approached Houlton High asking if there was a need for
substitute teachers. He was placed into a long-term substituting position and his career in education began. It was at that moment in time,
DeWayne suddenly realized that education was his passion.

The following year, DeWayne became an alternative education teacher with Dawn Matthews. The program was run by Region Two and
was in a building owned by the Fair Association, across from the Millar Civic Center in the park. He stayed there for three years and taught
English and Social Studies. He loved working with these hard to reach students.

DeWayne joined the staff of Houlton High School during the 1999-2000 school year. Over the next twenty years, he taught English at
every grade level. He also took great pride in teaching creative writing classes. He finally settled in and taught mostly juniors and seniors
for the last ten years of his teaching career.
Finally, an opening for the assistant principal's position happened this past spring. DeWayne looked at the leadership in the district and he
knew that the timing was right. He felt in sync with the philosophy and methodology of the district. He was thrilled when he received an
interview and was ultimately offered the position. While it has been a bittersweet year, because of the passing of his father, the new position
has been a blessing in his eyes. The new position energized and invigorated him, and he absolutely loves working in this role.

Houlton High School is lucky to have DeWayne for all these years. His new role as assistant principal has really allowed his caring and
passionate nature shine. There are many, many stories shared by DeWayne’s colleagues that show true testimony of his kindness to his
students. He is described by many to simply “have a way” with those students that are hardest to reach. He also has a particular softness
for students in need, often paying students’ lunch bills, giving up his prep period and lunch times to make time for students that he did
not normally see. He could often be found crying in front of a room full of seniors as he read aloud for the hundredth time excerpts from
Photo courtesy of Penny Nevers ‘61
“Tuesdays with Morrie”. Always humble, DeWayne always did all these things quietly, not wanting attention, a true reflection of his
intentions and his personality. Houlton High School alums like DeWayne Morse whos return is what make our school and our district so
incredibly special.

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