Every kindergarten class needs a bit of magic and at Sandy Hill Elementary School Victoria Harris provides just that. As a Sandy Hill Kindergarten Instructional Assistant, Ms. Harris is known for her “magical hugs”. They calm first-day-of-kindergarten fears, soothe ouchies, appease hurt feelings, pacify the I-miss-my-mommy moments, and cool angry feelings. But that is not all. Ms. Harris assists with small group instruction, helps with transitions, keeps students on task if the teacher has to redirect her attention for a moment, fills-in for teachers if needed, and leads intervention lessons. And after the paid part of her day is over, Ms. Harris is still going strong, helping with the school’s Running Club and the Young Ladies Club which she started to help girls learn basic courtesies and manners, offer opportunities for community involvement activities, and introduce them to crafting and various opportunities they may not have at home. Now in her 11th year with DCPS, Ms. Harris says it is her hope that “the things I do and say plant seeds that will someday have a positive impact in someone’s life”. And when you do your job with such love and tinged with magic as Ms. Harris does, how can it not?
