Surrounded by shelves filled with countless books, librarian Terri Harkey can be found interacting with teachers and students every day at Furr Elementary.

 After beginning her career as a band director with a passion for music, Harkey’s time as a music educator came to an end due to schedule conflicts with her husband and responsibilities to fulfill outside of her job, such as taking care of her kids. However, quitting this job led Harkey to her job today — a librarian.

“I wanted a job where I could see the same and new kids for extended years,” Harkey said. “I thought about teaching middle school or high school, but I like how elementary school kids are still excited, and they give you hugs when coming to the library. Sometimes in education, we turn kids off the curiosity, and it makes me sad.”

Before attending library school and getting her master’s degree in library science at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Harkey graduated from Texas Tech University.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” Harkey said. “In high school, I had a teacher (her band director) that inspired me and really had an impact on me.”

Just as her band director took an interest in her, Harkey said she likes taking an interest in her students, even if it’s just the “little things,” such as asking what their favorite hobbies are.

“There are a lot of people that get out of high school, and they don’t try out clubs or teams, so they don’t know what their passion is,” Harkey said. “Try enough things to where you can find your passion, because if you do, it might turn into a career you love. Being a teacher has always been my passion, so even if I would’ve not been in band, I would’ve found my way into being a teacher.”

However, Harkey said she had a lot of obstacles to overcome outside of school.

“I didn’t have a warm and inviting family to come home to every day,” Harkey said. “When I got home, I would go up to my room to play my saxophone, and it would take me to a different place. I poured my life into all of my music.”

Growing up this way, Harkey said she always tells kids to follow their dreams, and to go for things that they “love.”

“The most important part is for students to chase their dreams, which is something that you got to do, no matter what,” Harkey said. “You just have to figure out how to make it work. If there is one thing I could tell my high school self, it would be find your passion, keep trying new things until you find something you love, dream big and go for it.”