Principal Naemah Morris never dreamed when she was an Immaculate Heart High School student in the early 1990s that she would end up leading the 110-year old school for girls.

Principal Naemah Morris recently welcomed members of the Class of 2020, including from left, Khafira Freeman, Catherine Denton and Angelica Limoanco. (photo courtesy of Callie Webb/Immaculate Heart High School)

Morris originally envisioned herself living on the East Coast, and after graduating from Immaculate Heart in 1995, she earned an undergraduate degree at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She returned to Southern California afterwards to be closer to her family, and graduated with a master’s degree in education from Loyola Marymount University.

Morris initially worked in a law firm in Santa Barbara, but wasn’t happy because it didn’t fit with her career goals in education. When her former debate coach at Immaculate Heart told her the school was looking for a new social studies teacher and debate coach, she applied and returned to the campus in 2000. She later chaired the Social Studies Department and served as director of student activities.

“I realized it was my calling,” said Morris, who credited teachers at the school for setting her on a path to her current position. “I think the greatest thing about the school is a lot of people saw in me what I didn’t see in myself. You don’t just learn who you are. You are given the freedom to be that person.”

Morris said she had big shoes to fill at Immaculate Heart when she became principal in July. Former principal Virginia Hurst, who retired this year, had been with the high school for more than five decades, and was the school’s leader for the last 19 years. Morris said Hurst was an inspiration.

“She was such a remarkable and special woman in my life. She really guided me,” Morris said. “I love the classroom and it’s hard to leave. But as much as I love teaching, I have aspirations to teach students on a higher level. I love this school and I love what it has done in my life. Anything I can do to give back, I want to do.”

Morris is personally meeting with all of the high school students, nearly 500 of them. She has also been meeting with every teacher and staff member to make sure they are prepared for the new school year. She joked that one of the toughest things was figuring out what door each key unlocks. Another first step was making sure staff was familiar with the school’s new teaching management system, which is a program for teachers to assign and distribute materials.

“Making sure the faculty and staff has everything they need to be there for the students is a big goal of mine,” Morris said. “I want to make sure when they step foot on campus they feel what I felt – comfort and warmth.”

Principal Naemah Morris (center) is pictured with the Sandlot Sophomores at Immaculate Heart’s recent Welcome Day celebration. She was joined by students Maya Feuilladieu (from left), Carlene Sanchez, Dakota Cohen, Christine Noravian and Justice Kochevar. (photo courtesy of Callie Webb/Immaculate Heart High School)

Morris said she plans to make the school more efficient, including looking at how classrooms are structured to ensure they are the best possible learning environments. The school provides a laptop computer to every student – something she didn’t experience as a student – and she will explore other ways to improve access to technology.

Morris also hopes to build on the school’s academic curriculum with a focus on English and history as well as science, math and technology. Students learn about robotics and computer coding, and electives have been added in engineering and computer science. Immaculate Heart also has robust theater, music and art program.

“I want to move Immaculate Heart forward so we meet 21st century needs, but I don’t want to lose tradition for the students whose needs we were established to meet,” Morris said.

She said the diversity among the student population is one of the things that hasn’t changed, and it remains a priority on the campus. Students come from throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Morris is an Eagle Rock native.

The new principal said her long-term goals are to maintain the school’s tradition of nurturing young women and helping them grow. While it will be hard to live up to Hurst’s legacy, Morris said the lessons she learned and the guidance she received at the school will keep her focused on the future of Immaculate Heart and its students.

“I want people to look at my time as principal knowing that I took care of them and the school,” Morris said. “Our mission isn’t just something that is in a handbook. When I walk around the campus, I see it every day.”