This week’s Staff Feature is Mrs. Renata Harris, one of our Preschool Teacher’s Aides. Mrs. Harris has been part of the St. Luke’s staff since 2020, but her connection to our school began even earlier as an involved parent volunteer. Originally from Brazil, Renata earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and speaks three languages: Portuguese, French, and English. A fun fact about Mrs. Harris is that her first job in the United States was at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, where she enjoyed meeting people from all over the country.Outside of school, Renata loves traveling, spending time with her family, walking her dog, and enjoying the outdoors. Some of her family’s favorite destinations are Sanibel Island and the Florida Keys. Mrs. Harris and her husband, David, have two daughters, Isabella, who is in 8th grade, and Alicia, who is 9. David is originally from New Jersey and is a professor at the UCF Medical School. Renata also has a special connection to Montreal, where she once lived and where her husband proposed.
For Renata, St. Luke’s is much more than a workplace. It feels like family. One of Mrs. Harris’s favorite St. Luke’s traditions is the Fall Festival, especially the hayride and seeing all of the animals. She treasures the strong Christian values, close-knit community, and the freedom to openly share her faith. Renata still remembers Mrs. Barbari prayed over her during her interview, a moment that made her feel St. Luke’s was exactly where she was meant to be. St. Luke’s is thankful to have Mrs. Harris as part of our school family and for the joy, faith, and care she shares with our students and families each day.