LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Bray-Shon Harrison was nominated anonymously.

Mr. Harrison creates a positive and welcoming environment in his classroom through a strong focus on inclusion, social-emotional learning, student-centered instruction, and relationship building. His students are seen and valued each day—both academically and personally. One unique way he fosters a sense of belonging is by inviting students to bring in photos of their friends and families to hang in the classroom, helping them feel that the space truly belongs to them.

As a first-year teacher, Mr. Harrison is building his classroom from the ground up. He is especially focused on cultivating a love of reading and improving student comprehension. He is in the process of building a calming and inviting classroom library, complete with flexible seating, bean bags, and character-themed decorations. He hopes that as his book collection grows, his students’ enthusiasm for reading will grow with it.

Mr. Harrison is also working to incorporate more educational games across math, ELA, and writing to enhance engagement during center rotations. Currently, he relies on printable offline materials, but he is striving to build a collection of manipulatives and hands-on activities that will better support active learning. He believes classroom decor plays an essential role in creating a space where students feel motivated, inspired, and at home—especially since they spend much of their day there.

In addition, Mr. Harrison hopes to introduce themed days such as Glow Day, Starbooks Day, and Café Day to celebrate and incentivize his students’ hard work. Many of his students come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and don’t always have access to celebrations or enrichment opportunities. These themed days serve as a joyful and meaningful way to recognize their efforts.

Before becoming a full-time teacher, Mr. Harrison worked in the school’s Reading Skills Center, where he helped many students in grades K–5 successfully test out of reading interventions. He is also known throughout the school for his ability to greet nearly every student by name, which is something he takes great pride in. His students see him as a safe and trusted adult, and that connection is at the heart of his classroom community.