Retirement Corner

Retiree: Tasmaria Brown-Harris Years with OCPS: 33 OCPS Retirement date: Jan. 3

As the new year begins, Tasmaria Brown-Harris will fully embrace the next chapter in her life, one filled with her favorite pastime of cruising, volunteer work and doting on her infant grandson.

For more than 33 years, she led thousands of Orange County students to greater academic success. The Winter Park native and Edgewater High graduate was influenced to enter the field of education, following in the footsteps of her late godfather, Ernest White, and godmother, Rutha White, both former OCPS educators.

"Watching both their passions and workloads during their years of education persuaded my educational views and direction toward becoming an educator," said Brown-Harris, who earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Nova Southeastern University.

Her OPCS career started in 1988 as an aide and tutor before spending a decade as a first- and second-grade teacher at Brookshire Elementary. Next she moved to Apopka Middle for another 10 years, leaving as an administrative dean. A favorite memory of hers at Apopka Middle was "watching this new dean arrive on campus, then matriculate from dean to assistant principal, then becoming my principal," she said.

Brown-Harris worked alongside this principal, Rolando Bailey, next at Liberty Middle, where she was a reading coach; moved with him to Freedom High as an Multi-Tiered System of Supports coach; and lastly worked with him at Evans High, where she served as an MTSS coach before becoming the school's Title 1 Business Operations manager, two years ago.

Focused on nurturing the whole child, she called it her mission to help struggling students.

"Not only did they need strategies," she said," but [they needed] consistency, structure, compassion and lots of love."

Upcoming Virtual Workshops:

Jan. 5, 5-6:30 p.m.

Nearing Retirement in the FRS

https://orangepeal.pub/NearingFRS

Jan. 12, 5-6:30 p.m.

Understanding the FRS Investment Plan

https://orangepeal.pub/frsinvestmentplan Jan. 19, 5-6:30 p.m.

Using the FRS to Plan for Your Retirement

https://orangepeal.pub/planforretirement

Jan. 19, 5-6:30 p.m.: Income Tax Planning:

Smart Planning for Your Taxes

https://orangepeal.pub/incometaxplanning

Go to the MyFRS workshop flyer link to register for the particular course. Go to Canvas to get more information about the course. For additional information, email retirement. services@ocps.net or call 407.317.3227.