This
annual awards program honors assistant principals who have utilized
teamwork and leadership skills to increase student performance, promote
safe learning environments and establish partnerships with parents and
community members. The Florida Department of Education will hold a
special ceremony in January to announce the statewide winner.
“We
are very proud and happy for Emily, but I am not surprised,” said
Superintendent Joseph Joyner. “She has been a shining star since she
came to this school district. Ms. Harrison represents the many
outstanding and dedicated individuals who serve our children as
Assistant Principals.”
Ms.
Harrison has served as the Assistant Principal of FCMS since 2006. She
initiated a Middle School Best Practices Symposium for the district, and
the district is now in the process of expanding the symposium to
include more grade levels, as well as a virtual component.
During
the 2005-2006 school year Ms. Harrison worked as a gifted teacher at
Cunningham Creek Elementary School. Prior to that, she served as a
substitute teacher for the school district and volunteered at Julington
Creek Elementary School while completing her master’s degree at the
University of North Florida. She also has six years of elementary school
teaching experience in Florida and Georgia.
As
Assistant Principal, Ms. Harrison assisted in developing a Pre-Advanced
Placement (AP) program to address the needs of high achieving students
at her school. She was instrumental in implementing the skills she
learned in Capturing Kids’ Hearts to further develop a climate of caring
at Fruit Cove Middle School and applied strategies to increase learner
outcomes across achievement levels, resulting in increases in both
classroom assessments and FCAT scores.
Ms.
Harrison has been involved in community outreach programs and service
learning projects such as the “Joy Fund” to assist families in need
during the holidays, an Honorary Veterans Day Assembly for students and
community, and a Hearts for Haiti relief initiative.