Teacher to Know: Brainard Harris, Hillsborough County Public Schools

At Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa’s North Hyde Park neighborhood, Brainard Harris is more than a teacher — he’s a mentor, innovator and leader who brings aerospace technology to life for students. Serving as the school’s Teacher Leader and one of its Career and Technology Education teachers, Harris blends technical expertise with a passion for student success while teaching the high school credit course in Aerospace and Artificial Technology.

For years he was known also as Maj. Brainard Harris, CAP Chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol School squadron initiative, and has been a guiding force in the Civil Air Patrol’s ACE program since its inception, helping to strengthen STEM pathways for students across the country. His dedication has earned him the National ACE Sustained Excellence Award, a recognition of his commitment to excellence and impact in STEM education.

What makes Mr. Harris truly remarkable is his ability to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. A graduate of Plant City High School (where he was active in chorus and FFA), he has taught in Florida for 29 years and in HCPS for 25 of those years. Families and students alike know that in Mr. Harris’s classroom, curiosity is encouraged, innovation is celebrated and every student is inspired to reach for the stars.

TBPM: What inspired you to become a teacher, and what continues to drive your passion for education?

BH: I have a lifelong belief that “people don’t care what you know unless they know you care,” and I had many teachers that made a strong impact on my life. I believe that for our society and country to continue, we need to educate our future generations, teach them how to be productive citizens, and teach them how to lead effectively, especially in the areas of STEM. Shortly after 9/11, I was approached by Civil Air Patrol and began teaching their aerospace and leadership program and have had the privilege to combine my love of aerospace with my passion for impacting students through leadership.

TBPM: How do you make aerospace and technology exciting and accessible for middle school students?

BH: By including many hands-on projects, exposing students to real-world simulations and integrating career knowledge and experiences as much as possible. When possible, I try to take students into the workplace or ensure the workplace comes to them, so they can see and explore careers. I bring in community members to speak to the students and share personal knowledge and experiences of former students who now have careers in the subject area, including my own sons who are Airframe and Powerplant (A & P) mechanics.

In addition to teaching throughout the day, I also sponsor specialty clubs like the John Glenn Top Gun Academy and the Student Astronaut Challenge. I am also a sponsor of our STEM Boosters organization. We provide unique experiences like astronaut visits, overnight visits with behind-the-scenes tours of Kennedy Space Center, and we partner with aerospace and aviation partners like Mitre, MAXAR Technologies and the Florida Space Consortium.

TBPM: How do you balance being an educator, mentor and leader in programs like the Civil Air Patrol ACE program?

BH: I tend to work a lot, but I balance life by prioritizing my family and faith as I am now also the lead pastor of the Parkway Baptist Church in Plant City. I think I can balance all of these roles effectively via time management, but also by being genuine and present with every interaction. I give my all to my family, my profession, my ministry and all of my other roles because I enjoy what I do, who I get to interact with and how I get to make others happy and fulfilled.

TBPM: Can you share a moment when a student’s curiosity completely surprised or inspired you?

BH: I had a student several years ago who was a particularly challenging student, but he was incredibly curious about how STEM applied to the military. Due to his curiosity, we ended up doing a little research as to the opportunities of STEM in each branch. This student ended up moving away during eighth grade, but he reached out to me during his final year at West Point letting me know he had been selected as a Rhodes Scholar. I was surprised that he thought of me so many years later, and that that interaction influenced his post-secondary education. This interaction reaffirms my dedication to be open and welcoming to all students.

TBPM: What’s the most rewarding part of seeing your students succeed in STEM projects?

BH: Knowing that this is not the end … that the passion they put into their projects may ultimately lead to a career. Several years ago, we had a build-a-plane project as a partnership between Stewart Middle Magnet School, Barrington Middle School, CAP and the Tuskegee Airman. Many of those students now work in some related field — several [are] A&P mechanics, both in the military and civilian life. Also, in this group of students, there are two aerospace engineers, at least two pilots and others who work in related fields.

TBPM: What’s your favorite part about connecting students to real-world STEM experiences?

BH: When students have that A-ha moment that they have found their future career, and then I get excited all over again when they contact me years later sharing with me what they are doing now. Real-world applications open doors to possibility for kids who might not have even thought about their future. That’s my favorite part … knowing that what I do and offer to students has long-lasting positive effects.

TBPM: How do you foster collaboration and creativity among your students?

BH: Hands-on activities that we have revolve around real-world experiences like flying drones, helicopters, Cessnas, commercial and jet planes on our flight simulators. We also create and fly weather balloons, make postcards to send to space and participate in online courses that I have created (through a grant) that promote space education and aerospace and aviation knowledge and practice.

TBPM: How do you hope your students will remember you for years to come?

BH: I want them to know that although I have high expectations for them and am interested in sharing knowledge with them, that I will always care for them and their future. My goal is always for my students to remember that I care about them as a person. It goes back to what I said earlier, “people don’t care what you know unless they know you care.” I want my students present, past and future to know that I care about them and want the best for them always.

Visit http://hillsboroughschools.org/stewart to learn more about Stewart, schedule a tour and learn how to apply. Families can apply for Stewart or any of our 40+ magnet schools in Hillsborough County during the Magnet and Choice Window this fall.

Originally published in the October 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.