Building a robust pipeline

When I started my career, I had no interest in teaching or working with kids in any capacity. In fact, I went to school for electrical engineering and technology, and I worked at L3 Harris in Rochester.

In my spare time, however, I tutored grade school students in math. Each day I regaled my coworkers with stories about my students. Unfortunately, these anecdotes were prompted by students’ difficulties with simple math facts. A coworker asked me to “do something about it,” offering information on the Teachers for Tomorrow program at Roberts Wesleyan College.

After much thought and consideration, I decided to apply. The program transitions people from other careers into teaching. Now, several years later, I work hard with my students, relating to them, encouraging them, and ensuring that they get the high-quality education they need, desire and deserve.

Nobody asked me to become a teacher. It wasn’t a career path that was highlighted in high school. Even today, teaching isn’t the top choice at a high school job fair. Though education wasn’t my goal, it has become just that.

I am a Rochesterian; I grew up here, attended Rochester City School District schools, I was a parent to students in the RCSD, and I have been employed by the school district for 19 years.

Both my sons started in city schools, eventually graduating from Penfield High School. My oldest went through the Urban Suburban program, and my younger son until grade 3. In the city, schools and teachers struggled to accommodate my younger son, who like a couple of others, was learning above grade level. In the 2nd grade, he was reading at a 5th grade level, and was beyond addition and subtraction. My son began to get bored—yelling out answers, helping other students during independent time and walking around the room. 

Meeting after meeting did not result in solutions. The only way forward was to send my son around to help in the lower grades, which is not enrichment by any means. I watched his interest in reading fade and I did what I had to do to not “lose” my kid. It was a tough choice, given my deep connection to the Rochester community, to place him in a suburban school to get the best education possible.

I do not want our families to feel what I felt. I am even more motivated to ensure our students are receiving the best education. We need to be better at recruiting, preparing, and celebrating our teachers, while holding them accountable.

Today, as principal of Franklin Middle School, I work to make sure our students have educators that respect them as learners, set high expectations for them, teach them what they are expected to know, and love them. I do this by creating an environment of support, trust and high expectation. Our RCSD students need to shine and know their worth. That journey begins with the people who have the biggest impact on them and their education—their teachers!

STEPHANIE HARRIS

Principal. Franklin Middle School