LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Rebecca Harris was nominated by Judith Jaeger, a member of her community.

Ms. Harris has been the librarian at Mark Twain Elementary for several years. She teaches the youngest students in first grade how to come to the library to interact in a group encounter. She teaches students from entry-level to sixth graders about courtesy and kindness, showing that a raised hand means a child is ready to share, and the listening student will have their moment in turn. Ms. Harris will encourage a child's range of words, affirm their idea, repeat it for other students to hear, and ask the others to add ideas of their own.

Her use of drama, voice inflection, and cheerful demeanor means a book is not simply read to students. It becomes their living experience. She helps students compare stories to their own lives and identify the emotional words of characters. She leads the young ones in options for behaviors – those that help and others that limit their interaction with peers.

"As a volunteer with Rebecca for nearly three years, I have learned useful interactions for my own work with children," said Jaeger.

Teachers at Mark Twain find support in Ms. Harris’ listening and affirmations. She is often a pressure-point relief for parents and colleagues. She's a leader among her peers, which has been part of conversations and formal conferences. Ms. Harris has also used her knowledge of current publications and electronic resources to lead book selections for her school. Her resources are wide-ranging, from print to multimedia, and students are shown the skills for their own continued use.

"Rebecca's teaching is not limited to a classroom nor the hours marked by the school bell," said Jaeger. "In a tough, economically-challenged neighborhood, Rebecca has found community support and grants for education to give students many encounters with arts and nature in the broader Tulsa city life. Rebecca is an irrepressible educator!"