Ms. Juanita I. Harris was recently named the Texarkana Arkansas School District Teacher of the Year. Ms. Harris is a 1st grade teacher at Union da Vinci Magnet School.
Ms. Harris is a class of 2006 graduate of Arkansas High School. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Southern Arkansas University and her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.
Ms. Harris began her teaching career as a 2nd grade teacher in Strong, AR and joined the TASD Razorback family in 2012. “Ms. Harris sets high expectations for her students and goes above and beyond to make learning fun and applicable to her students’ everyday lives, commented Superintendent Dr. Becky Kesler. “Her creativity and innovation bring learning to life in her classroom.”
Ms. Harris received the Bessie B. Moore Award for her Everyday Economics: Earn Money, Spend Money, Learn Economics project. Ms. Harris believes economics is an integral part of people’s lives and that understanding economics is critical in helping children comprehend the modern world and make decisions that shape the future. The Bessie B. Moore award recognizes teachers who go above and beyond what is required by developing outstanding economic and personal finance projects they integrate in the classroom.
In addition to teacher her students at Union, Ms. Harris tutors students in the district and serves as a youth leader and Sunday School teacher at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. As the TASD Teacher of the Year, Ms. Harris will compete for Arkansas State Teacher of the Year, which is announced in the Fall.
