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Wlaf1450
By Charlotte Underwood
CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- Educators make a difference in students’ lives every day. For many students, having a school employee who cares and goes that extra mile can be the difference in a successful education and graduation. We’ve all had that teacher, or school employee who inspired us or helped in some way. That’s why WLAF and Eagle Tire Pros salute all of our hardworking educators with a weekly feature.
Nathaniel Morton is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the Week. He teaches Agriculture at Campbell County High School and is also a Future Farmers of America (FFA) Advisor to students.
Morton was born and raised in Campbell County. He graduated from CCHS in 1990 and graduated from the University of Tennessee in the spring of 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the college of Agriculture at UT.
Morton did not initially go to college to be a school teacher.
“I wanted to be a grass cutter and I loved that job, but a knee injury and an ankle and back injury, and my dad had been trying to talk me into being a school teacher for about 20 years, so finally I went back to school for two semesters to get my teaching certificate for Ag education,” Morton said.
He said that while he originally didn’t think he would make a good school teacher, the more he has taught, the more he has enjoyed it.
“The process of it all just fell into place; I didn’t see it coming, and I have enjoyed it ever since,” Morton said. He has “officially” been an educator for 11 years, with all of that time at CCHS.
“I replaced John Rea, the legendary Agriculture teacher. I would not be here without him. He backed my play and he moved mountains for me, and I can’t say enough about him, and Eric Reynolds, both of them and Jamie Wheeler really helped me believe that I could be a school teacher,” Morton said.
He said that when he found out about the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization and began participating with students in that, he was blown away at how rewarding his career had become.
His favorite part about being an agriculture teacher is the “spark.”
“When you see a kid turn the corner and realize that today, they need to start preparing to live the rest of their life and taking things serious,” Morton said.
He himself had many educators that stood out and inspired him, with his number one inspiration being his father, Robert Morton. His mother Lani Morton also worked for years in the front office at CCHS as well and was a big influence for him.
“My Aunt Vermon was always an inspiration as an educator too, she taught History at CCHS for 45 years,” Morton said.
He also said he loves working at the high school because that’s where students from Jacksboro, LaFollette and other parts of the county get to come together and do great things.”
Every Thursday, WLAF’s Charlotte Underwood features the WLAF – Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week. That educator also receives a free oil change from Eagle Tire Pros. To nominate a teacher for teacher of the week honors, please send your nomination to wlaf@1450wlaf.com. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/07/2026-6AM)