One could say it was fate that brought Ms. Blake to Morris Hills. Originally from South Jersey, she sent her resume to almost 100 schools– Hills was the only one to respond, only one she interviewed for, and the only school she ended up teaching at. 

After close to 26 years at Hills, Ms. Nancy Blake is retiring in 2022. She has taught a majority of business courses during her time at our school: Personal Finance, Microsoft Professional, and Introduction to Computers, to name a couple. 

She names Morris Hills her “career home.” As Ms. Blake stated, “It is where I started, grew up, and learned.”

Ms. Blake’s passion for teaching is clear as she leaves our school with appreciation for not only a fulfilling career, but the students. She expressed her gratitude for having educated a new generation of professionals, a large number considering her time at Hills. 

Some of her favorite memories with the students include watching them enjoy their high school experience at Mr. Morris Hills pageants, Battles of the Classes, and the Halloween parades. While, as she described, she was never one for dressing up, she will miss judging the costumes. 

The Academy holds a special place in Ms. Blake’s memories of Hills as she taught classes there  when the Academy first began. She was heavily involved in Business Strategies, and proudly shared that her students had won awards in business plans competitions and had great success in trade shows.

Mrs. Sabatini, one of Hills’ business teachers, captured a sentiment shared by many: “Mrs. Blake has demonstrated a calming professional commitment to educating tomorrow’s business leaders. The business department along with the rest of the Morris Hills community will surely miss her.”

While this may be the end of her journey at Hills, she awaits her next adventure. Ms. Blake plans to move back to South Jersey where she will spend more time with her family and enjoy weekdays that do not follow a bell schedule. 

“I have enjoyed what I love to do. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to interact with my students and colleagues in positive ways,” Ms. Blake remarked.

From the Hilltopper staff and students at Morris Hills, we thank Ms. Blake and wish her all the best as she continues to make new memories.