The Presidential Award is one of the highest honors I could hope for in my education career. It solidifies that quality STEM education is happening in schools across the country, even in small, rural schools like my own. This award is a testament to colleagues, administrators, and students who are the building blocks to ensuring a wonderful, quality education. The Presidential Award is a recognition of the lifelong learner I always hope to be.

Jayci Harris Ada, OK | K-6, Science, 2018

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Jayci Harris has been an elementary educator for seven years and has spent that time teaching at Homer Elementary. This coming school year she will take on a new position as District STEM Coordinator for Byng Public Schools and will teach first through sixth grades. This new position will allow Jayci to implement and incorporate more STEM-related activities within her district. Jayci sees the importance of spreading STEM education to students throughout her community and has implemented an afterschool robotics program. Students use Botball robotics to learn a text-based coding language. She has also helped surrounding schools implement their own robotics programs. After receiving a scholarship to attend a professional development opportunity through Engineering is Elementary, Jayci saw the importance of students using critical thinking, problem solving, and cooperative learning. She has since brought those ideas back to incorporate into her own teaching. Jayci is a member of Oklahoma Educators Association, National Science Teachers Association, Oklahoma Science Teachers Association, and Computer Science Teachers Association. Jayci earned a B.S. in early childhood education and a M.Ed. from East Central University. She is certified in early childhood education and school counseling.

Know a great teacher like Jayci Harris?