CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS

Chelsea Morris, Health Technician

Aviara Oaks Elementary School

A sniffly young student, her eyes tearing, sits on a small bed in Chelsea Morris’s Health Office. Ms. Morris makes sure that the girl is comfortable, and then, in a kind tone, phones the student’s mom to let her know that her daughter is feeling sick.

It is Ms. Morris’s eighth year in Carlsbad Unified and her seventh year as the Health Technician at Aviara Oaks Elementary School. Every day she sees about 20 students in her office. Usually it's just scrapes, runny noses, and upset stomachs; or bumps and bruises from the playground; but there are occasional broken bones or even more serious conditions. One student might arrive in her office with symptoms, and within a half hour other students who share that same classroom table might come in with similar complaints. Ms. Morris ministers to some students who need to receive daily medications, and to a few with health issues that need close monitoring. She is in constant contact with teachers and parents, Ms. Morris shares her Health Office with Becky Rawlings, her counterpart at Aviara Oaks Middle School. Together they serve 2800 students on the two campuses. They have a wonderful working relationship—and they also claim they have the strongest possible immune systems. In cases of an emergency or more serious injuries they work together, prioritizing or triaging students who need immediate attention, to make sure that all students get the best of care.

“This job is a blessing! These kids fulfill me—I love them!” says Ms. Morris. “I am an ‘empty nester’ with medical knowledge and a mother's heart. The kindergartners I saw in my first year are now seventh graders here at the middle school.”

For many years Ms. Morris was an American Academy of Ophthalmology-certified ophthalmic technician working in a surgical suite, where she assisted doctors performing eye surgery. But when her children reached school age she wanted to work in the school system so that she and her children could enjoy the same summers and vacations together. With her talents and medical background, the Health Office is a great fit.

“This is a happy place to be!” Ms. Morris reports. “We have an incredible principal—Mr. Hines, who was my children’s principal at Magnolia Elementary School.” She adds,“The staff is wonderful. It's a finely-oiled machine.” And, treasuring her community work, she says, “I have known this staff and community for so long. I enjoy helping with the volunteer tea – our volunteers do so much for us. And I like to help out with the jogathon.”

A longtime Carlsbad resident, Ms. Morris has three grown children who, like their mother, are all successful graduates of Carlsbad High School. One lives in Los Angeles, one attends Washington State, and her youngest is a freshman at Cal State Fullerton. She enjoys hiking and walking on the beach, and she especially cherishes her special time with her kids.

“I have the highest regard and respect for Ms. Morris,” says Principal Hines. “I have known her and her terrific kids for 17 years. I can be confident that she will handle even our most serious health issues appropriately. She takes care to do everything just right, and she is a go-to for the staff. She has years of connection to the school and the greater community. She’s a dear.”