By: Ilker Fidan, Principal at Harmony School of Innovation - Dallas

I started working at Harmony in 2007 as a science and physics teacher at the very first campus (Harmony Science Academy - Houston). My days were like a workout routine—I’d begin with a 6th-grade class, then jump straight into 12th-grade physics the next period. Talk about stretching your teaching muscles! That first campus wasn’t just a workplace—it was home. I lived so close that I biked to school every day. Some mornings, I think my bike got there faster than I did.

In those early years, I was the ultimate multitasker. I was a teacher, a CRLP mentor, a PTO member, and probably an occasional janitor without even realizing it. Harmony gave me so many opportunities that I felt like a Swiss Army knife—always ready for the next challenge.

As the years went by, Harmony and I grew up together. I became an assistant principal, then a principal, and now, after 12 years in the role across four

campuses, I might just be the principal with the most stamps on my Harmony passport. Harmony supported me through my master’s degree, superintendent certification, and doctorate. It was like my personal cheerleading squad, rooting for me at every turn.

One of the most rewarding parts of my Harmony journey is working with former students who are now teachers at our schools. Imagine teaching a student physics one day and years later seeing them lead their own classrooms—it’s like passing the baton in the Harmony relay race. And it gets even better—some of my former students now work at the central office, holding positions higher up in the hierarchy than me. I guess I taught them too well!

It’s incredible to see how Harmony has fostered such bright and talented individuals who now dedicate their energy to shaping the future. We truly have some of the best people on our team—brilliant, kind, and passionate. Harmony isn’t just a second home for me; it’s a family that keeps growing and thriving. All three of my kids go to Harmony, which makes it even more special. Harmony is where I’ve learned, grown, and laughed the most—and where I’ve seen the power of education change lives, including my own.