Apr. 26, 2011

Described as selfless and going above and beyond, making a difference in the lives of children and a huge difference in the lives of future early childhood educators, Anissa Harr, art instructor at Notre Dame High School and adjunct instructor at Shawnee State University, was chosen to receive the esteemed "Friend of Children" award for 2011.

On Fabulous Friday, April 15, at a conference for child care providers and early childhood educators, Dr. Paul Madden, interim associate provost, associate professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Shawnee State University, presented the Friend of Children Award to Harr.

The Friend of Children Award is given to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the field of early childhood education and has had an impact on the needs, rights and well-being of children. The award is presented each year during the National Association for the Education of Young Children Week of the Young Child.

Two educators at Shawnee State nominated Harr for the award.

"Anissa has a huge heart. She gives without hesitation or reservation to students at every level," said Cindy Ferguson, senior instructor at SSU, in her letter nominating Harr for the award. "She is a selfless supporter and collaborative partner whose commitment to her passion has brought the passionate power of the fine arts to life in future teachers who will impact future learners' birth to eight years of age. She is noted for her servant leadership. … She has impacted scores of current early childhood teachers and has pages yet to be written of the numbers of lives she will touch because of her selfless dedication, vision, direction and support."