Familiar Face Aids in Transition The Pony Express By Antonio Scott August 22, 2014

As the 2014-2015 school year gears up, school administration is busy keeping

Houston High fulfilling its Excellence. Always. motto. Evelyn Harris returns to Houston

as Vice Principal after making history last school year. She was named the first African

American Principal to lead Houston. Harris took the role in January and served until

June.

Harris main role at Houston is to support the Principal in curriculum and to serve

as the designee for Principal in his or her [Principals] absence, and oversee master and

student schedules.

As Houston became the high school for the newly formed Germantown Municipal

School District (GMSD), Harris says she still has the opportunity to influence students

through curriculum and support [as Vice Principal]. In an interview with The Pony

Express Antonio Scott Thursday, Harris said she is excited for the opportunities for

positive change and growth. She is anxious for the new policies Houston administration

will be able to create. With a small district, administration is more accessible and able

to discuss progressive ideas, Harris said.

Harris envisions GMSD becoming one of the premiere districts in the state and

the country; continuing the legacy already in progress at Houston High School. Harris

drive for excellence helps lead Houston in a promising future.

Starting her career with legacy Shelby County Schools in 1984, Harris began

teaching Freshman English and Spanish at Houstons inception in 1989. At Houstons

onset, Harris remembers when the school was referred to as the new kid on the block.

Harris stated as Houston progressed, students generated a competitive spirit in and

outside of the classroom and initiated a tradition of excellence.

As a twenty plus year veteran of education, Harris has not made a decision on

retirement yet, but would like to teach at the college level. From the classroom, to the

Vice Principal and Principals roles, Harris is an exemplary example of dedicated

education professionals that schools need, especially at Houston.