By Olivia Svoboda

Editor-in-Chief

After graduating from Blue Springs South in 2006, Christine Harris is back for more as a special education teacher.

“It’s a lot bigger since I graduated,” Harris said, “The atmosphere’s still the same – still a positive atmosphere, which I love.”

After high school, Harris attended Morningside College in Iowa. After graduation, she taught in an Iowa school before later returning to Missouri. She taught at a charter school in Kansas City and then at Hickman Mills.

Before special education, Harris was an elementary school teacher. She didn’t choose to make the switch from regular education to special education; rather, the opportunity chose her.

“About five years ago, I got a call asking if I wanted to interview for a special education job. I had been a para[professional] before and had loved it but hadn’t made the decision to switch from regular education to special education. And then they called and asked if I wanted to interview for a special education job,” she said, “I said yes, and I haven’t looked back.”

When comparing being an elementary school teacher and a special education teacher, there are a lot of differences between the two occupations. Harris said that there are also many similarities.

“Very similar methods of teaching, just new concepts that I’m teaching. So really, it’s different, but it’s not. There’s just more paperwork to it,” she said.

Harris is excited to see where this new teaching experience will bring her.

“This is my first high school experience as a teacher, so [I’m] just [looking forward to] growing as a teacher and learning as much as I can,” Harris said.