Sisters’ lifelong bond continues as teachers at hometown school

Kelsey Harris ’19 and Alyssa Harris Martini ’14 lived under the same roof for years. They were raised together in the small, rural area of Anson County, North Carolina. Now, having grown up and moved out of the family home, the two sisters are back across the hall from each other, teaching at the same elementary school they once attended as students.

Martini was part of UNC Charlotte’s Class of 2014, receiving a degree in elementary education. Five years later, Kelsey Harris followed in her older sister’s footsteps when she completed an elementary education degree and accepted a position at Peachland-Polkton Elementary.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” said Martini. “Kelsey and I are extremely close, and it has been great to be able to touch base with her at work every day. I love being able to support her as a new teacher. We both loved this school as students. It always felt safe and felt like home to us.”

Like many future educators, being a teacher was something both sisters had dreamed about for years. For Harris, her inspiration to become a teacher began in kindergarten. She was motivated by her own teachers and thought of education as a true calling throughout her life.

In Martini’s case, her dreams of becoming a teacher weren’t fully realized until one summer in high school when she volunteered at her church’s Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed working with the children and helping them “make connections and foster new thinking.”

Within their Anson County community, the sisters receive an immense amount of support. They noted it is very tightly knit, and this attitude is especially true among its educators.

“Being able to give back to the community that helped raise us and mold us into the people and educators that we are today is a huge part of both of our hearts,” said Harris.

Supporting one another is important to Harris and Martini.

As the oldest sister, Martini knew how important it would be to set a good example for her younger sister when she started teaching.

“Helping her grow has helped me grow,” said Martini.

“Being an educator alongside my sister means that I always have a mentor, friend, sister and counselor all wrapped up into my co-worker,” said Harris. “Knowing that I have her support and guidance right down the hall is amazing.”

The UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education offers students like Harris and Martini a variety of opportunities to learn and grow into effective educators.

“I had such a great experience at UNC Charlotte,” said Martini. “UNC Charlotte sets a high standard for education majors and of all their students. This helped me hold myself to a higher standard and strive to represent our University in the best way that I could.”

Students who graduate from UNC Charlotte with a degree in education are prepared to enter schools with exceptional skills and knowledge in their field, traits employers are quick to recognize.

“UNC Charlotte prepares their future teachers with a variety of great experiences that separates their students in the interview setting,” said Travis Steagall, principal of Peachland-Polkton Elementary School. “Students are exposed to a variety of different clinical experiences that include instructional and operational aspects that encourage great preparation, execution and reflection for the classroom setting.”