SAN ANTONIO – Every month during the school year, KSAT and Firstmark Credit Union recognize educators who go above and beyond for students and the community.
This month, we’re honoring Command Sergeant Major Ansley Harris, an Army instructor at Roosevelt High School, for the Junior ROTC Rough Rider Battalion program.
Command Sergeant Major Harris has been leading high school students through JROTC programs for nearly 17 years, and he tells us he’s incredibly proud of his students.
“We do a great job of representing our district out there when we go to these competitions,” said Harris. “So, I’m very proud of all our kids and what they do.”
Harris served 28 years in the Army and has been the Army instructor at Roosevelt since 2017. However, he’s guided JROTC students in the San Antonio area for nearly 17 years.
“I started in the district (NEISD) in 2008 at Reagan High School and then went to Wagner High School once my kids graduated,” said Harris. “So, I came back to the district and loved it. That’s why I’m still here today.”
Harris’s commitment to teaching and mentoring has made a lasting impact on his students.
Roosevelt JROTC Sophomore Andres Noguera credits Harris for his growth in the program and tells us he has a lot of respect for Mr. Harris.
“This man is like a dad to me,” Noguera said. “You can talk to him about anything, and he’s always there for us, for the team. This team wins a lot. I’m proud of our team that went to Nationals. He’s a big reason why we went. He is super responsible and a great example of what I want to do when I grow up.”
“The kids put a lot of time into getting ready for the competitions,” Harris said. “We’re the best in the country with our JROTCextracurricular activities. We do quite well.”
However, it’s not just about winning competitions for Harris. He says the ultimate goal is to equip his students with leadership skills they can carry beyond high school.
“We need to set them up for success no matter what,” said Harris. “Whether they go into the armed services or attend college, we try to give them those leadership intangibles that they can use no matter what they do in life.”
Congratulations to Command Sergeant Major Ansley Harris, this month’s KSAT Educator of the Month.
