GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – For Principal Dan Morse of North Park Montessori Academy, Grand Rapids Public Schools isn’t just a workplace - it’s where his roots run deep, and he’s committed to ensuring it feels like home for every scholar.
“School can be such a sanctuary for young people. It was certainly for me,” Morse shared. “It's somewhere that I've always felt like I belonged. I want to make sure that all of our scholars here at North Park feel that way.”
Morse’s ties to GRPS stretch across generations. His mother, a 1969 Union High School graduate, dedicated 30 years to teaching in the Shawnee Park Oral Deaf Program. Morse himself is a proud GRPS alumnus, with a professional journey that began as a teacher at Creston High School and Innovation Central High School before advancing to Assistant Principal at Grand Rapids Montessori Academy.
“This is absolutely home for me,” he said. “My wife is also an educator. She teaches at Ottawa Hills High School.”
Morse’s connection to Montessori education isn’t just professional - it’s personal. He attended a Montessori elementary program before continuing his education at City Middle High School. That experience shaped his passion for learning.
“I really fell in love with education when I got to select what I was studying. I want to give those same opportunities that I was able to have within my schools to the scholars that we serve now,” he explained.
Every day, Morse strives to bring that same excitement to his scholars. “I hope that they can see my smiling face, can see my enthusiasm for the day. Each morning, I like to greet them outside the cafeteria doors, making sure that everybody is going to have a good morning.”
“I am blessed to work with just fantastic staff here and work with fantastic families that support the school. We're just very blessed here to have that village truly wrapping their arms around scholars here at North Park.”
