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	Last updated 09.08.05

The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

2005 Finalist and Recipient of The Horace Mann–
NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

James D. Harris
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA)

James D. Harris is a seventh- through ninth-grade resource/special education English teacher at Atkins Junior High School in Lubbock, Texas.

A 37-year classroom veteran, Mr. Harris strives every day to make a difference for his special education students, many of whom come to his classroom as reluctant learners. They leave at the end of the year with their heads held high knowing that they can learn and do anything that they want, because they have had the support of a teacher who genuinely cares about them. Mr. Harris provides a vision for success for all of his students and believes that they can achieve anything. He says, “I always tell my students that they must make a choice to be really successful, and I will support their choice.” Mr. Harris goes the extra mile for his students, whether by providing additional academic help or purchasing clothing for students in need. Through engaging and hands-on lessons, Mr. Harris makes learning relevant to his students’ lives.

For Mr. Harris’ students, taking part in the community teaches them invaluable life skills, such as learning how to meet and greet people. He engages his students in service learning projects throughout the community and involves them in activities such as a local pancake festival, where students cook for and serve the community. Mr. Harris has solicited local companies to donate free services to help his students learn. For example, he convinced a local private airline to give his students rides to help them to understand geographical concepts. Mr. Harris feels that utilizing the resources in the community and connecting the students with the community help to encourage positive feelings and dispel any negative perceptions about middle school students. Mr. Harris also teaches certification courses at Lubbock Christian University and reaches out to his students—future teachers—about issues of professionalism and union activism. Mr. Harris was a Boy Scout leader for 30 years.

For over 20 years, Mr. Harris has been active in the education association, representing the professional rights of school employees at the local, state, and national levels. He served as president of the Lubbock Educators Association for three terms and is still an officer. He was a regional vice president in the TSTA. He served on the Legislative Cadre and State Committee on Media Relations for the TSTA/National Education Association. Always one to speak his mind, Mr. Harris has written numerous op-eds and letters to the editor, and testified at the state legislature. As part of a legislative team within the TSTA, he is able to reach hundreds of colleagues daily via emails to keep them up to date on legislative issues. He has worked on various committees for the Lubbock Independent School District and Texas Education Agency. In his school building, he serves as department chair of special education and works with 23 staff to ensure the needs of students are met.

Throughout his teaching career, Mr. Harris has received many awards and distinctions, including the Ermalee Boice Instructional Advocacy Award at the State House of Delegates, the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow, Friend of Education Award by the Deans of Higher Education in the State of Texas, Secondary Clinician of the Year from Lubbock Christian University, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas Tech University’s College of Education. He was one of the first teachers to be appointed by then-Governor George W. Bush to the state Board for Educator Certification and the first teacher ever elected as chairperson.

Mr. Harris holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Howard Payne University, a Master of Arts from Texas Tech University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Howard Payne University.

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