Spotlights

Scott Morton '07

Scott Morton '07

Employer
Navigator DA / Driving Instructor

1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
After earning my degree in education (language arts, K-8), I worked in a handful of schools but failed to find a long-term, full-time teaching position. Just before the end of the school year, in 2017 I looked into teaching driver education during the summer. Oddly enough, my experience in teaching and possibly my “courage in stressful situations” (8 years in the US Navy) I determined that there was less stress behind the wheel of a car with a teenager than on the front lines in a classroom. A couple of years later, I let my professional teaching certificate expire and continued to teach teens how to drive full-time. Best thing that ever happened to me. I pretty much make my own schedule, get raises I didn’t ask for and am appreciated and valued. What more can one ask for?

2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
Studying in the old library with classmates right before finals! The comradery, sharing of ideas, strategies, stories and knowledge made my last year at Grand Valley State my favorite. As a non-traditional student, I look back at my years pursuing my BA as a couple of the best years of my life. Higher education, the second time around is something that can never be taken from me and an accomplishment that makes me, me.

3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Marry her (my wife), follow your heart and don’t be afraid to be you. Oh. That’s three.

4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand Valley experience.
Stimulating, invigorating and challenging.

5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
I’m making a difference right now teaching driver education that still makes a huge difference in peoples lives. That is until self-driving vehicles are feasible and virtual learning is more effective than in-person learning.

October 2022

Interest Area(s)
Education

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Page last modified October 12, 2022