Deborah Harris Houston, TX | 7-12, Science, 2007

Deborah “Debbie” Harris was inspired by her high school chemistry teacher to pursue a degree in science. Debbie received her B.S. in microbiology and chemistry from Texas Tech University and her certification as a Registered Microbiologist through the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Upon graduation, she began her career as a microbiologist first in industry and then at the Baylor College of Medicine where she conducted research on infectious diseases for ten years. Then, she got a “calling” to teach science and began a 25-year career as a middle school science teacher in both public and private schools. Debbie won PAEMST in 2007 while at St. Francis Episcopal School of Houston where she taught seventh and eighth grade science for 18 years. Debbie strongly believed in connecting her science curriculum to real-world problems so her students would better understand "why" they were covering topics. Over the years, her students worked on environmental problems in their Houston community and won the LEXUS Challenge for their work on reforestation after Hurricane Ike. Her classes have collaborated with schools in Honduras, India, China, and South Sudan. With these projects, they won the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Challenge 20/20 Award and the Lead4Change National Challenge. Following the project with South Sudan based on water needs, the students raised enough money to build a water well for a village there. Debbie recently retired but continues to mentor local science teachers. She has been a national science test writer for Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and is a member of the national Educational Advisory Board for Lead4 Change, a winner of NAIS “Teachers of the Future,” and of the Houston Museum of Science “Secondary Teacher of the Year.”

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