Associate Professor, School of Education
As a twice-over Puget Sound graduate, I am proud to work at the university which has been so instrumental in my own journey. After over two decades as a school counselor, the transition to higher education allows me to contribute to the profession in a different way. A focus across my teaching and mentorship roles is the development of critical thinking skills - particularly in the context of ethical counseling practice and lifelong learning. Outside of the classroom, my favorite pastimes include anything in nature (camping, two-wheeled adventuring, boating, birding), music (violin and guitar), and photography.
COUNSELING EXPERIENCE
Puyallup School District, WA
School Counselor (2000-2019)
District Counselor Trainer
Waller Road Elementary School (2016–2019)
Mountain View Elementary School (2017–2018)
Edgerton Elementary School (2014-2016)
Emerald Ridge High School (2000-2014)
Scholarship Coordinator
Department Head (2010-2014)
District Counselor Trainer (data, 504s, technology)
Concrete School District, WA
Concrete Elementary School Counselor (1997–2000)
HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Associate Professor 2024 - present
Assistant Professor 2018-2024
Practicum and Internship Placement Coordinator 2018-2022
Adjunct Professor 2016-2018
Prescott College, Prescott, AZ
Adjunct Professor 2017-2018
Oregon State University, Corvallis and Bend, OR
Teaching Assistant 2016-2017
Seattle University
Intern, 2017
RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Heidi’s research interests focus on removing barriers to human potential development, professional collaborations, improving access to mental health and resources, and professional identity development. Subthemes include math anxiety interventions, stereotype threat, evidence-based school counseling, college and career readiness, resiliency, student academic re-engagement, LGBTQIA+ student support and advocacy, and professional development for school counselors.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
Morton, H.L., Moran, D., Graham, M.A., Wakamatsu, P., & Kimiai, K. (2024). Big picture thinking: Crosswalking social-emotional learning and academic. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 8(1).
Morton, H.L., & Hill, N. (2022). School counseling: Collaborating with school staff. In C.N. Edwards & M.A. Graham (Eds.), Foundations of school counseling: Innovations in professional practice (1st ed., pp. 265-278). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Tucker, B., Carlin, J., Casson, M., Kirner, K., Morton, H., & Rouse, M. (2022). Student Success, Retention, and Open Educational Resources: Final Report from the AAC&U OER Institute Team 2021-2022. https://bit.ly/3ZazYgy
Morton, H. L., & Dykeman, C. (2019). Mathematics anxiety and math instructional time in first-year elementary school teachers. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/9krmh
Morton, H. L., & Dykeman, C. (2019). Mathematics anxiety and math instructional time in preservice elementary school teachers. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/tw7s4
Ewe, E., Morton, H.L., Valdez, D., DeMeyer, M., & Novella, J. (2023, October 12). The impact of COVID-19 on the professional identity development of counselors-in-training. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) National Conference. Denver, CO.
Morton, H.L. & Ratliff, K.M. (2023, October 13). Exploring sociopolitical influences on counselor educator professional identity. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) National Conference. Denver, CO.
Kayij-Wint, K., Ewe, E., Mphande-Finn, J., Cook, J. Novella, J., Morton, H.L. (2023, October 13). Navigating the complexities of gatekeeping in the counselor education profession: A panel’s perspectives. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) National Conference. Denver, CO.
Ewe, E., Cook, J., Field, T. Kayij-Wint, K., Morton, H., & Gardner, S. (2023, April 21). The vulnerability of counselor educators: Navigating the gatekeeping process in a new millennium. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Webinar.
Morton, H.L., Carruth, E.K., & Ratliff, K.M. (2021, June 5). 2020 Influences on professional identity. Association for Humanistic Counseling Annual Conference. Online.
Carruth, E.K., Morton, H.L., & Ratliff, K.M. (2020, December 11). Helping parents to help children: Navigating complexities of virtual schooling during the pandemic. North Thurston Public Schools. Lacey, WA.
Carruth, E.K., Morton, H.L., & Ratliff, K.M. (2020, December 11). Layers of isolation: Reaching hard-to-reach students during the pandemic. North Thurston Public Schools. Lacey, WA.
Morton, H.L. (2019, February 28). Math anxiety: What we know, and how school counselors can help. Washington School Counseling Association (WSCA). Seattle, WA.
Ewe, E., Kayij-Wint, K., & Morton, H.L. (2019, October 11). From start to finish: Navigate the dissertation journey. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) National Conference. Seattle, WA.
Morton, H.L. & Hill, N. (2018, March 8). Feedback-Informed Treatment: Harnessing student feedback to improve counseling outcomes. Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA) Conference. SeaTac, WA.
Miller, W. & Morton, H.L. (2016, March 17). Trans101: Transgender ally training. American Counseling Association (ACA) National Conference (2017, March). San Francisco, CA.
Morton, H.L. (2016, March 3). Historical perspectives: 50 years of leadership, advocacy, and support. Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA) Conference. SeaTac, WA.
Light, N. & Morton, H.L. (2015, February 6). Dual credit advising: Biggest bang for your buck. Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) Dual Credit Winter Workshop. Puyallup, WA.
Morton, H.L. (2003). Starting and sustaining gay-straight alliances in schools. Washington State PFLAG Conference. Seattle, WA.
Morton, H.L. and students. (2003). Breaking ground: Emerald Ridge High School’s experience participating in the Day of Silence. ACLU Youth Conference. Seattle, WA.
Morton, H.L. (2002). Advising gay-straight alliances. Pacific Lutheran University Queer Conference. Tacoma, WA.
Morton, H.L. (2001). LGBT youth experiences in public schools. Puyallup School District Diversity Committee presentation. Puyallup, WA.