Richland One teacher named finalist for the SC Teacher of the Year
March 12, 2018
Richland One Teacher of the Year Robert Harris, who is a family and consumer science teacher at Hand Middle School, has been named one of five finalists for South Carolina Teacher of the Year. Pictured at the March 7 surprise announcement are (left to right) Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspon, Harris, State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and Hand Principal Dr. Robin Hardy.
Robert Harris has always wanted to be a teacher. From the time he played school with his friends or tutored his cousins,he knew his calling was to be in the classroom. When he graduated from Lower Richland High School in 2006, he vowed to come back to teach at the district that had given him so much as a student.
Today, Harris, a family and consumer science teacher at Hand Middle School and Richland One’s Teacher of the Year, was speechless when he was named one of five finalists for South Carolina Teacher of the Year. State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman surprised him with the news in his classroom.
“I am grateful and completely surprised. This means the world to me. I truly believe hard work, dedication and commitment are the most important aspects of being a teacher. My students need me at 120% and ready to give that to them every day because they are giving me 100% every day,” said Harris. “The most favorite part of my job as a teacher is making a connection with my students by giving them real-life experiences supporting what they’re learning in the classroom.”
Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon and Hand Principal Dr. Robin Hardy were among those present when Spearman made the announcement.
“Robert realized that teaching was his calling and passion while he was a student at Lower Richland High School. He is very deserving of this honor. We are proud to have him represent Richland One and to go on and compete at the state level,” said Dr. Witherspoon.
Harris has taught at Hand for four years. He has transformed his classroom into an innovation center where his students are encouraged to develop ideas and business plans. One of their more recent projects, a mock Cupcake Wars “restaurant,” allowed his students to collaborate with local restaurant managers, business owners and bank officials. Teacher recruitment is a passion for Mr. Harris. He is one of the organizers of Profound Gentleman Recruitment Day, a statewide effort to encourage more African-American men to become classroom teachers. He also was named the Palmetto Citizens Youth Financial Educator of the Year.
“Mr. Harris is in the top 5% of all 50,000 teachers in South Carolina. We are proud of him and Richland One. Being named a finalist is a wonderful recognition of all the great work he does every day,” Spearman said.
“Robert Harris is known for his unmatched energy and passion for the field of education. He is an advocate for our students as well as for fellow teachers,” Dr. Hardy said. “He is the consummate example of how to promote the wonderful accomplishments of education in the great state of South Carolina. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
As one of five finalists, Harris will be competing for the state’s Teacher of the Year award, which comes with a grand prize of $25,000 and a new BMW to drive for a year. Each finalist will receive a check for $10,000. Mr. Harris will represent Richland One at the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Gala on May 2. When asked what he’ll do with his $10,000 prize, Harris said “I just bought a house 29 days ago and this will come in handy.”
Harris is the second Richland One Teacher of the Year in the last two years to be named as a state finalist. In 2016, his colleague, Jennifer Wise, was named a state finalist and, ultimately, South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year.
