Highland Park High School’s Paul Harris, a beloved alumnus, teacher, coach, and athletic director, will be retiring after his 33-year career with District 113. After more than three decades, Harris has cultivated a legacy of connection, positivity, and strong community values.

As a Highland Park High School alumn, Paul Harris returned to District 113 in 1992, volunteering as a basketball coach and working within the special education program. With great dedication to both education and athletics, Harris soon became the head basketball and golf coach and has held the role of athletic director since 2021.

“My mom taught at Highland Park High School when I was a student here, so I grew up being someone who came to a lot of high school events. This place has always felt like home,” Harris said. “The community support that I have received as a teacher, as a coach, as an athletic director has helped me be successful…The roles that I’ve been in, I feel like I’ve touched every part of the community, and they’ve touched me.”

Through his time at Highland Park High School, Harris’s lasting impacts can be felt in both the classroom and on the field. As a teacher in the special education department, he has guided countless students into life beyond high school, with many of his students entering the workforce for the first time. Within the athletics community, Harris has fostered strong programs built on resilience, relationships, and sportsmanship.

“Seeing a student with special needs get their first job is one of the most rewarding things that I’ve done as an educator,” said Harris. “From a coaching standpoint, I think the relationships were the highlights. There were some great teams that I’ve coached, and some great moments I can think back to, but really, they all connect to relationships.”

While Harris has had numerous victories on the field, guiding Highland Park’s basketball team to over 300 wins and preparing athletes for competitive leagues, such as professional golfer Patrick Flavin, however, Harris stresses that everyday wins are just as important.

“Winning is just one way you measure success,” he said. “Sportsmanship and how we represent our community, those are things, as a coach and an athletics director, I try to instill in the people I work with.”

Throughout his career, Harris has upheld a simple personal philosophy, staying present and giving his best efforts every day.

“I can’t do anything about what happened yesterday, and I can’t control what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Harris said. “I’ve tried to live by that and focus on the thing that I have control over: what I do today.

As Harris looks back upon his time at District 113, he highlights the significance of a strong community, sharing that it was colleagues, students, parents, and staff who added meaning to his career.

“The people make the place,” he said. “I’m lucky…I feel like I have relationships with members of every department here, and I have memories in every part of this building as a student and an educator. I have a lot of things to be thankful for.”

Ultimately, as Harris leaves behind a community shaped by integrity, relationships, and resilience, it is undeniable that his lasting presence will be felt within Highland Park High School long after his day.

“I really tried to be present, and hopefully, students, parents and coaches saw that. I wanted to be a part of what was happening wherever I was,” said Harris. “The love that I have for Highland Park High School, I hope that came through in the things that I did…Regardless of what role I was in, I always tried to have a positive attitude and look ahead to what was next.”