Buncombe County Schools (BCS) employs thousands of extraordinary staff all across the district. BCS takes pride in recruiting the best in order to inspire, educate, encourage and elevate students on a daily basis. As a way to honor the hard work and dedication that staff pour into our schools, we are recognizing those that go above and beyond to make BCS one of the best. This staff spotlight features fifth grade teacher Hannah Harvey from W.D. Williams Elementary.
Ms. Harvey is known around the school for wearing many titles not only in the classroom, but throughout the community and United States. For several years now, Ms. Harvey has competed in pageants, and been crowned a few different times. Her most recent title she holds is Miss Iredell County.
“I grew up as an athlete and never thought I would compete in a pageant,” Ms. Harvey explained. “My sister saw potential in me to be successful in the Miss America Organization and strongly encouraged me to compete. The connections I have made and the skills I have sharpened carry over into my everyday life and have made me a more determined and driven teacher, friend, and member of my community.”
Those skills and connections through pageants have led Ms. Harvey to her newest title, National Ambassador for Global Game Changers (GGC). This non-profit organization provides free curriculum and resources to help foster each child’s social, emotional, leadership, and academic growth.
“After competing at Miss North Carolina last summer, I was contacted by a former Miss America to try a free curriculum for K-5 students called Global Game Changers,” Ms. Harvey said. “When reviewing the lessons online I knew this was something that would greatly benefit my students and help them be more well rounded individuals. My strong character, morals, and leadership qualities perfectly align with what this program is trying to accomplish. I am so thankful to the GGC team for this opportunity and the growth I have already experienced. ”
Ms. Harvey said that GGC is making a difference in her students’ lives, and she knows this opportunity will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“GGC has created a safe classroom community for my students, and it is giving them tools that they can use outside of school,” she said. “Students are finding their unique passions and taking action to Ignite Good! Whether it’s on the ball field, at a piano lesson, visiting a local park, or volunteering at the animal shelter, these students are using their Superpowers daily to help better the lives of themselves and others.”
As for her students, they can’t say enough positive things about Ms. Harvey, and they are cheering her on as she prepares for the Miss North Carolina Pageant.
“Ms. Harvey is truly the best teacher ever,” said Jovie. “She's the real life version of Ms. Honey from the movie ‘Matilda’.”
“Ms. Harvey is a great teacher, and I love her so much. I am really really glad that I get to be in her class,” said Haylo.
If Ms. Harvey wins Miss North Carolina, she has big plans for her current students.
“I would love to visit them next school year at Owen Middle as Miss North Carolina,” she said. “I have had most of these kids for two years and they mean so much to me. I want to show them that their dreams can become a reality.”
Ms. Harvey will compete for the Miss North Carolina title in High Point on Saturday, June 24th at 7:30 p.m.
If you wish to learn more about Global Game Changers please visit https://globalgamechangers.org/.
To see other news stories about Ms. Harvey please click the following:
https://www.wbtv.com/video/2023/04/21/nc-teacher-appointed-national-ambassador-education/
