Julie Harris
Turtleback Elementary School
San Diego, CA

"Mister Rogers said, 'Learning and loving go hand in hand.' Loving my students as if they are my own children is at the very heart of my beliefs about learning and human growth and development. In loving each child, I try to accept him or her as is: a complete person with strengths to build on and needs to fill. I want my students to know that even if school becomes very hard and shakes their confidence, I will care for them. They may shake, but they will not break. This can only happen with the support of love and the trust that grows from that. I look at children and see the possibilities, even if they don't see them."

"She has the unique ability to focus on the inner core of a child and pull out the very best in them."

Julie believes that fifth graders are at the golden end of childhood as they begin to face the academic and social challenges that come with the onset of adolescence in middle school. For this reason, she always begins her school year with the end in mind. On the very first day of class, Julie tells students, "I am not your 5th grade teacher. (Big pause.) I am your 6th grade preparatory teacher." Eyes widen, sometimes there's an audible gasp. Eventually, smiles break out on every face. These children realize they'll be getting the inside scoop for success. She makes it plain that she expects them to be the best-prepared students in their 6th grade class next year. Also on that first day, Julie asks the students to record and share their hopes and dreams for the year. Knowing where they are and where they want to be helps her to plan according to their expressed needs. In beginning with the end in mind, she knows that she needs to do more than teach her students the required academic standards. Julie not only feels a responsibility to see that each child is secure in the ability to be literate with words and numbers, but also to allow each child to reach his or her full potential. She teaches students not just what to learn, but how to learn. Staying in touch with her students through the years, Julie has found that the most successful are those with not just secure academics, but also a strong work ethic, solid study and organizational skills, and the know-how to make and keep positive relationships with others.

Other Highlights:

• Over 28 years as a first-through-sixth grade educator, teaching in a wide range of school settings including five years working with socio-economically disadvantaged students in South Central Los Angeles
• Worked in a program "looping" with her fourth grade students to fifth grade
• Distinguished Teacher in Residence, College of Education, California State University, San Marcos Served a two-year appointment as a Professor in the College, teaching foundation of education courses, social studies methods courses, and supervising student teachers in the elementary, middle, and high school levels
• Developed a parent education program called the "Smart Cookie Club," a partnership between home and school, helping parents assist their children academically and behaviorally
• Served as Director and Associate Director of the California History-Social Science Project under the auspices of the University of California at San Diego
• Teacher Leader of the California Physical Education-Health Project, under San Diego State University
• Mentor and coach for literacy skills, Poway Unified School District P.R.I.D.E. (Poway Reading Instructional Development and Education) program
• Master Teacher with California State University, Los Angeles, Chapman University, and National University
• Member, Phi Delta Kappa
• Presenter, California Council for the Humanities Conference, University of Southern California
• Presenter, California Council for the Social Studies Conference
• Consultant, Project S.P.A.R.K. (Sports, Play, and Recreation for Kids) physical education program, San Diego State University
• Consultant, SIP (School Improvement Program) Program Quality Review, San Diego North County Consortium
• Facilitator, Poway Unified School District School Redesign Symposium
• Recognized as a California Mentor Teacher in both the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Poway Unified School District
• Recipient of the PTA Phoebe A. Hearst Educator of the Year award at Turtleback Elementary School
• Recipient of the Turtleback Elementary School Teacher of the Year award
• Master of Education - Reading, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California
• Contestant Champion, "Jeopardy!" TV game show
• Volunteer, KPBS Public Radio Reading Service