Principal's Corner

Principal’s Welcome:
Welcome to the sixth year of Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School, home of the Colts and a NASA Explorer School.  The primary mission of the faculty and staff at Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School is to create and sustain a climate in which active learning can occur for all students. With the rigorous standards-based academic program and variety of course offerings, along with the dedicated, talented, and student-centered staff, students are empowered to think critically, make responsible sound choices, and become life-long learners.  Daily, you will hear the faculty and staff calling students "future college graduates."   This year’s theme is “Building Small Learning Communities to Close the Achievement Gap Through Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships.”  Our motto is Challenging Opportunities Lead Toward Success.  Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School strives to be the “best place to teach, learn, and achieve.” 

I hope you will enjoy visiting our website which includes insightful information about our future college graduates, faculty, staff and exemplary academic and extra-curricular programs.

Principal’s Biography:
Mrs. Felicia A. Bessent is the principal of Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School, a NASA Explorer School, and has been an administrator for over fifteen years in Elk Grove Unified School.  Mrs. Bessent, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, is a graduate of University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education and a minor in music therapy.  She also has a Master of Arts in Education – Special Education from California State University, Sacramento and professional administrative service credential from LaVerne University. Furthering graduate studies, she attended University of Virginia, University of Hawaii, and Harvard Graduate School of Education Principals’ Center. 

Prior to becoming an administrator, Mrs. Bessent was a K-12 public school teacher for eighteen years in the areas of general and choral music, special education, elementary education, and mathematics in Georgia, Virginia, Hawaii, Arizona, and California. In 1991, Mrs. Bessent was named Teacher of the Year for Elk Grove Unified School District, Sacramento County, and a finalist for California Teacher of the Year.  She also received California State University, Sacramento Distinguished Service Award and the Milken Family Foundation prestigious National Educator Award which came with a $25,000 stipend to support her teaching career.  Other rewards include listed in Outstanding Young Women of America, 1981 and 1986 editions, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1994 edition.  Most recently, Mrs. Bessent received the 2004 Distinguished Educator's Award for outstanding leadership and contributions to the development of aspiring young minds, presented by the Sacramento Observer Media Group and a 2007 Principal of the Year nominee for the Sacramento Hub Choice Award.

In addition to being a principal, Mrs. Bessent is active in the community and affiliated with various educational organizations. She is a member of Association of California School Administrators (ASCA), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), California League of Middle Schools (CLMS), Elk Grove Alliance of Black School Educators (EGABSE), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., music director for the children’s choir, Little Workers Guild, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Sacramento, CA, and former adjunct professor at San Francisco State University.  During the summer, Mrs. Bessent is an instructor of NASA’s Pre-Service Teacher Institute.  Mrs. Bessent has been married for over thirty years and has two adult-age children.

She has five mottos –

  1. It’s better to discipline in the playpen than at the state pen.
  2. The rules don’t change, just the days of the week.
  3. Bend toward the oar, though the tide is against you.
  4. Dress for success at all times.
  5. Always strive to be at the top, because the bottom is already overcrowded.
Return to Top
Site Meter