The Texarkana Arkansas School District has announced their selection of Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Juanita I. Harris is the recipient of the honor this year. Harris is a 1st grade
teacher at Union da Vinci Magnet School. She is a class of 2006 graduate of Arkansas High School, and completed her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
at Southern Arkansas University and her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.

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.”

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, Harris will
compete for Arkansas State Teacher of the Year, which is announced in the Fall.

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