By Sarah Foster, Staff Correspondent
Peachtree – For Cherokee County 2023 Teacher of the Year Monica Harrison, her common denominator with her students is enthusiasm. She is enthusiastic about their enthusiasm. The combined enthusiasm fuses with curiosity and – eureka! – fantastic educational experiences are born.
Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Keevin Woody said Peachtree Elementary School teacher Harrison’s masterful use of hands-on learning to challenge her students contributed to her earning the honor. The N.C. Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding teachers who use best practices in classrooms.
“Ms. Harrison leads her students to be the best versions of themselves,” Woody said. “She challenges them to go the extra mile, and instills the joy of learning and reading in each student.”
Harrison knows she’s succeeding when “all hands go up when asked to share.” She and her students learn together and eagerly help each other.
“Science is as hands-on as possible,” Harrison said. “We have made ice cream, grown crystals, made telephones, designed balloon racers, cultivated worms for a garden, examined soil, planted an inside and outside garden and much, more.”
Born and raised in Ranger, Harrison was encouraged at an early age by her father, Lucky Jenkins, to pursue teaching. After majoring in psychology at UNC-Asheville, her 24-year teaching career started with five years at Ranger Elementary School, followed by 15 years in Asheville and two years in Franklin before she returned to Cherokee County at Peachtree Elementary.
This fall will be her third year at the school. Harrison said she appreciates Principal Patricia Mathews and the school’s staff.
“I would also like to thank Betty Beaver and Becky Miller for being such awesome resources in the school. I’ve never felt like I couldn’t reach out,” she said.
It’s a joy to Harrison when students are excited and engaged in her classroom.
“When they come to me and ask how much they have grown, it tells me they are present and motivated to do their best to reach their goals,” she said. “I also love to hear that they’ve gone home and shared experiences with their families. As a teacher, you want that.”
Harrison recognizes the value of sharing moments of a child’s day with their parent as well as getting parents’ reactions.
“I know, as a parent myself, I always enjoyed it when teachers would share,” she said.
Harrison aims to approach her time as Teacher of the Year with the same enthusiasm that earned her the role.
“I plan on representing all teachers who truly enjoy their jobs and want to make a difference in the lives of kids,” she said.