Teach For America Appalachia Welcomes Charles “CD” Morton as New Executive Director
HAZARD, Ky, March 12, 2025—Eastern Kentucky native and long-time educator CD Morton has been named executive director of Teach For America (TFA) Appalachia. With over 30 years of education leadership and a proven commitment to student-centered innovation, Morton brings unmatched expertise and passion to the role.
As executive director, Morton will oversee all aspects of the organization’s regional operations. Teach For America recruits, develops and supports a growing group of leaders who are committed to ensuring all children have access to an excellent education. TFA Appalachia serves 3,000 students each year and has placed 300+ teachers in the region since 2011. Through innovative local programming and professional development opportunities, TFA Appalachia also continues to support alumni leaders of TFA, including teachers, school leaders, and leaders of community-based organizations.
“CD Morton’s extensive leadership experience and unwavering belief in the potential of rural students position him to guide Teach For America Appalachia into its next chapter,” said Noemi Wierwille, TFA Chief Learning Officer. “His relationships with students, families, and education leaders and proven ability to drive results will strengthen our impact and expand opportunities for students across the region.”
Prior to being named executive director of TFA Appalachia, Morton served as Harlan Independent School District Superintendent of Schools since 2013. In that role, Morton created opportunities for high school students to pursue innovative career and academic pathways and oversaw tremendous academic growth in the district. During the 2023- 2024 school year, Harlan High School achieved the 10th-highest overall academic index score in the state, out of over 250 public high schools.
Morton also serves as the Vice President of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents. Morton played an active role in developing TFA’s ten year goal, setting the local organization up to work in partnership with local students, families and schools to double the number of students who achieve postsecondary readiness and success, putting them on the path to economic mobility and a future filled with possibility.
"I am incredibly honored and humbled to step into the role of executive director at Teach For America Appalachia. Having dedicated my entire professional career to education in rural Eastern Kentucky, this work brings immense joy and fulfillment to my life. The potential within our Appalachian communities and among our talented students is extraordinary, and I am eager to begin the vital work of ensuring that one day every student, in every corner of Appalachia, has access to an excellent and life-changing education.
One of the most exciting aspects of this work is the incredibly talented Teach For America Appalachia corps members and alumni who tirelessly dedicate their time and talents to our most valuable resource—our students. I am eager to bring my personal and professional experiences to help accelerate and expand opportunities for students across the Appalachian region."
About Teach For America
Teach For America works in partnership with communities across the country to reach One Day when every child has access to an excellent education. Founded in 1990, Teach For America finds, develops, and supports a growing network of leaders who expand opportunity for children from classrooms, schools, and every sector and field that impact a young person’s education. Today, Teach For America is a force of over 70,000 alumni, corps members, and Ignite fellows working in pursuit of profound change so that one day every child has the opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads.
About Teach For America Appalachia
Teach For America has been operating in Central Appalachia since 2011, recruiting and training over 300 teachers who have been placed in schools across the region. During the 2024–2025 school year, the organization is supporting 29 corps member teachers in rural Kentucky and West Virginia classrooms, alongside a network of 320 alumni who are working throughout the four-state Teach For America Appalachia region towards a day when all children in our community have access to an excellent education. For more information, visit https://www.teachforamerica.org/appalachia.