Mary Johnson Harris, principal of South Highlands Elementary Magnet in Shreveport, is a local professional who thrives both in and out of the work world. Recently, she represented teachers before Congress. Harris is a woman who is following her passion – and doing it with grace and class.

Q: What’s it like being the principal of South Highlands? HARRIS: Being principal of South Highlands is a tremendous responsibility. It requires flexibility and ability to adapt to change. I know that I could not do what I do on a daily basis without an awesome team of administrators, teachers and parents. Working together is the only way we can survive and succeed because no day is ever the same, and no two children are ever alike. The children at South Highlands teach me something new every day, and I can’t imagine doing anything else or being anywhere else.

Q: What does being a “career woman” mean to you? HARRIS: I’m not sure that I like the term ‘career woman.’ I just think that whatever your passion is or wherever your heart leads is what you should do.

Q: What does a day in the life of Mary Harris look like? HARRIS: There is no typical day for a principal! But there are some constants such as starting the day in carpool, opening car doors and greeting the children. My standard greeting is, ‘Good morning, it’s a great day to be at South Highlands.’ The students laugh and say, ‘You say this every morning, Mrs. Harris.’ I do because I truly believe that every day is a great day to be at South Highlands! After carpool, I do KSHM, our live TV station run by the students and make announcements and talk to the kids on the air. Then I check emails, make phone calls or address any pressing matters before [my walk through the halls,] visiting with the students and checking in on the classrooms and visiting with teachers in between parent/office matters. There is always a program, play, gathering or meeting that I attend. I play many roles and gladly do so. For example, we had a testing pep rally last week, and I was asked to sumo wrestle another teacher using huge inner tubes. I have the best job ever! 

Q: Tell me about your experience before Congress. HARRIS: I felt very honored to be asked by the National Board office to represent teachers before Congress. It has been a long time since I felt my opinion as a teacher and leader really mattered. More legislators and lawmakers need to listen to the educators who are actually in the field, instead of listening to others who know nothing about education or the classroom. This congressional opportunity and experience has opened other doors for me and I am thankful. I have recently been asked to serve on a national task force for the National Association of Teacher Education and Certification. This task force will develop a national model code of ethics for teachers. I will travel to Washington several times throughout the coming year and work with 19 other educators from around the nation. I am looking forward to the experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in this way.

Q: How did having children play into your career decisions over the years and would you do anything differently now looking back? HARRIS: I have one son and two step-daughters and three active grandchildren. I began my career in education when my son entered kindergarten. It wasn’t an easy time since I was in school two to three nights a week and working. I don’t think I could have done this if I had not had a wonderful support system in my husband and parents. I will say that sometimes when I was sitting in those night classes about to fall asleep, I would wonder if it was all going to be worth it in the end. I can say now without any reservations it was worth it.

Q: What is your advice to working women, especially those who struggle over whether to stay at home or work? HARRIS: My advice to both working women and stay-at-home moms is to not feel guilty about either choice you have made. Also, don’t try to be superwoman. Whether you work outside the home or not, you can’t do it all perfectly all of the time. Women are way too hard on themselves sometimes. It is OK to not be perfect. I chose to work because I had a passion to teach and work with children. I didn’t teach because I wanted to work. There is a difference. Whatever it is that God leads you to do, do it with all of your heart and to the best of your ability!

Q: Why does South Highlands stand out from other local schools? HARRIS: South Highlands stands out because of its tradition of academic excellence, because of the level of parent/family involvement we have and because of our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff. The majority of our faculty is Nationally Board Certified, and we are a two-time Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. We now offer robotics within our curriculum and have expanded the visual and performing arts into everyday instruction through arts integration and in partnership with the George Rodrigue Foundation. Not only do our students get art, drama and music for enrichment, they get it in math, reading, science and social studies classes. Every child can be successful in an area that meets their learning style and interests.

Q: Does faith play a part in your life? HARRIS: My faith in God is the foundation for everything in my life. I don’t know how someone lives life without hope in Jesus Christ. God continually opens doors for me and allows me to use my education and experience for His purposes. I’ve been all over the world on mission trips and have been able to teach in Jamaica, Mexico, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Honduras, Dominican Republic and South Sudan. I also love my church, and I still get up every day amazed and humbled that God allows me to be a small part of what He is doing. Anything I am, anything I will be and anything I have achieved is only because of God’s grace.

Q: What is one lesson you have learned over the years? HARRIS: I have just turned 50, and I love this stage of my life because you finally learn that so many things you thought were important really aren’t. I wish I had learned earlier in life that there is really very little within my control. I think I wasted too much energy worrying about getting bigger and better things when I should have put much more focus on enjoying what I had.