If a parent were to list ideal traits in a teacher for their child, obvious answers might include: firm but fair, a role model and a creative thinker.

All of these and more describe Curley “CJ” Harris, elementary teacher at Promise Academy Spring Hill, who was chosen by New Memphis as one of its five Educators of Excellence for 2019. Harris sees his work as a calling to create change.

Born in Germany to a military family, Harris landed in Memphis for his second-grade year. He had a rocky start, resulting in his repeating second grade, but he credits his teachers for sparking his interest in education and his passion for books.

“My second second-grade teacher and my fourth-grade teacher changed my whole mindset on school, education and on being here in America,” Harris said. “I know what a good teacher is capable of doing for a scholar, so because of that, I knew I had to at least attempt to give that same kind of energy to the youth.

“Memphis is the right soil if you want to grow greatness. When my seed got planted here and I was trying to figure out where I was going and who I wanted to be, I had those positive teachers here. So now here is where I’m going to give it back.”

That positive push is what Harris hopes to give to his students. His strategy is to take the best parts of his own student experience to create excitement around learning – like his own passion for literature, specifically the Harry Potter series. He offers up tubs of books until students can find a genre that clicks with them, and he gives away books regularly.

Harris adapts his lessons to ensure each student is learning in their own way. In addition to reading and discussing inventor George Washington Carver last year, students in Harris’ class planted seeds and tended the plants throughout the unit.

“I joke and tell my kids if something goes wrong, we’re OK because we have what we need to survive,” he says with a laugh. “That’s my goal – giving them tools to be the most effective. If it gets crazy out there, they’ll at least know how to grow tomatoes.”

As the coach of the peewee football team for Promise Academy, Harris loves the mentoring opportunity it provides outside of the classroom. But, he’s quick to emphasize the importance of balance.

“You have to realize that there’s so much more than sports,” he says. “Such a small amount of people will make it big in that way.

“I always remind my scholars that you stand on the backs of scientists, teachers and people who have moved, shaped and changed this entire world. While that history may not be something that is shared quickly – a lot of people may not even know it – it’s vitally important.”

An example he uses is the lightbulb. While it was invented by Thomas Edison, the filament was created by Lewis Latimer, who was African American.

“Most of my books represent my scholars, and they can see themselves in them,” Harris said. “You can teach the best lesson in the world, but if they don’t see themselves in the lesson, then what was the reason?

“There’s nothing wrong with rapping or football or all these other things, but we’re also just as effective in other areas to make change. I want the youth I teach to understand that their history goes further back than they realize.”

He reminds students that their community was effective in many more ways than they might know. The message is: “That’s your history, and you’re smart and capable, so you can make it happen in the future, too,” he said.

“That’s why I always go back to teaching being a 24/7 job,” he says. “This isn’t to say other professions are not awesome, but when you step foot in a classroom to mold children, you don’t get to half-step with this. Whatever this world is going to be, the youth are the ones who will make it.

“So hopefully one of my scholars becomes president. If I manage to pull off a president, I’m here for it.”

New Memphis honors five exceptional educators annually with their Educators of Excellence award. Learn more about New Memphis’ programs, including their engagement with new teachers through Stride, here.