‘Visionary’ Prospect High School drama teacher wins national award
Prospect High School theater teacher Jeremy Morton has been named national Teacher of the Year by BUBBL'R, maker of sparkling water beverages.
Morton, known as JMo, was greeted Wednesday as he walked into the Mount Prospect school’s theater by a drum line as part of a schoolwide celebration for his award.
“It was an awesome celebration,” said Morton, 47, Northbrook.
As the 2025 honoree, Morton will receive a year’s supply of BUBBL’R, a BUBBL’R mini fridge, a $10,000 donation to Prospect’s Fine Arts and Theater programs and a $500 gift card. BUBBL’R representatives presented the $10,000 check to Morton Wednesday.
Morton is described as a “visionary” drama teacher and fine arts coordinator and “the heart and soul” of Prospect’s fine arts program where he has built “a culture of inclusion, creativity, and joy,” according to BUBBL’R’s website.
“Beloved by students for his open-door office (and well-stocked BUBBL’R fridge), Mr. Morton creates a safe haven where every student feels seen and valued,” according to the website. “From transforming Mamma Mia! into a dinner-theater experience at a local wedding venue to rewriting Romeo & Juliet with students to make it modern and meaningful, his productions are legendary for their innovation and heart.”
During his 25-year career with Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Morton has taught everything from basic English and college composition to film studies.
His influence goes beyond the stage, “teaching collaboration, confidence, and empathy while giving neurodivergent and shy students a place to belong,” according to BUBBL’R’s site.
As District 214’s fine arts coordinator, he has helped unite its six schools through a summer musical and launch a new Middle School Theatre Fest to mentor younger performers and teachers.
A parent nominated Morton for the BUBBL’R contest. He was selected from among more than 1,000 teachers nationwide nominated for the recognition as one of 10 finalists. Nominees were evaluated on instructional excellence, professionalism, innovation, community engagement and the overall impact they have on students and schools, according to BUBBL’R.
Prospect High School and District 214 ran an intense social media campaign to garner support and votes for Morton resulting in an overwhelming response. Voters were allowed one vote a day for the seven-day contest.
BUBBL’R representatives say he won in a landslide, ABC 7 Chicago reports.
The award comes at a time when Morton recently received a donor kidney from the relative of a former student, and his wife is battling cancer.
Morton found out he had been nominated a few weeks earlier and learned he was a Top 10 finalist about a week ago.
“All of a sudden the word got out really quickly … and it took on a life of its own. It was super fun,” he said.
Morton said he saw viral posts supporting him from current and former students whom he had not heard from in years.
Prospect High School students, past and present, the school newspaper, ProspectorNow, as well as the school and district community showered their support.
“It reminded me of the time when Lee DeWyze was up for ‘American Idol,’” said Morton of the Mount Prospect native who won Season 9 of the popular ABC Network show in 2010, and was his former student.
“It gave everyone something to cheer for … something to celebrate and someone to root for in a very positive way,” said Morton adding, while the BUBBL’R award recognizes his dedication as a teacher it also offers him an opportunity to give back to the school.
“We were all rooting for Prospect and the fine arts,” he said. “It’s just a really nice thank you. It was cool that we all came together to do something and win for the school and, in my eyes, win for the arts.”
As for his plans for what to do with the $10,000, Morton says his vision is using the money to enhance the theater space and creating opportunities for future students in the fine arts.
“It’s very exciting,” he said.