Terry Harris
Dr. Terry Harris is one of the St. Louis region's most innovative educators working to build equity and well-being among students and the African American community.
Dr. Harris’ work is grounded in the guiding question, “And how are the children?” His goal is to one day be able to answer this traditional Masai greeting with a resounding, “The Children are well.”
Dr. Harris focuses on well-being. As an educator, he works to ensure student voice is encouraged and amplified. He hosts annual regional student summits so students from different walks of life can discuss their feelings about schools and societal issues. Harris works to link student voice to student action so youth are aware they have the power to change the world they live in for the better.
Dr. Harris also works on issues that affect the well-being of African American adults, because children cannot be well if the adults around them are not well. To help address health disparities, Dr. Harris co-founded The Collective STL, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing free yoga and wellness programs to African American communities in St. Louis. He has also created child-centered spaces for yoga through a Yoga for the Youth program.
Dr. Harris has been honored as Outstanding Educator of the Year by the St. Louis Association of Secondary Principals. He established the St. Louis Restorative Practices Academy for Educators and is an EdHub STL Fellow for Education “Intraprenuership.”
A graduate of Lafayette High School, Dr. Harris holds degrees from Missouri State, Lindenwood and Maryville University where he earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration. He and his wife, Ericka Harris have one daughter, Mhari Harris who is currently in high school.