Phillip Lee Harris

Phillip Lee Harris of Unionville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, surrounded by family, he was 86y. Born on November 7, 1939, in Louisville, Kentucky, Phillip lived a life devoted to learning, teaching, and advocating for fairness and opportunity in all areas of education in a democratic society.

Phillip was an elementary teacher at Templeton Elementary before returning to complete his Ed.D. in Education from Indiana University. He was a member of the faculty of Indiana University, serving in both the Psychology Department and the School of Education. His 22-year tenure at IU was marked by a rare ability to speak to both the "head" (Psychology) and the "heart" (Education) of learning. His work often examined how children learn to read and solve problems, and how the "labels" placed on children by the school system affected their self-image and future success. Deeply committed to the improvement of education, he was the Director of the Center for Professional Development at Phi Delta Kappa International and then the Executive Director for the Association for Educational Communications and Technology for over 2 decades. His scholarship included co-authoring the book The Myths of Standardized Testing, reflecting that high-stakes tests often fail to measure true achievement and instead reinforce social and economic disparities. He championed "genuine accountability" over simple test scores, pushing for assessments that reflect a student’s full potential and a school’s true effectiveness.

Beyond his professional work, Phillip lived a life rich with curiosity and appreciation for the world around him. He was a lifelong and enthusiastic fan of Indiana Hoosiers athletics and rarely missed an opportunity to follow IU basketball. He also found joy in gardening, bird watching, fishing, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Phillip will be remembered by those who knew him as kind, generous, compassionate, and deeply thoughtful. He was admired not only for his intellect, but for the care he brought to teaching and mentoring. He was passionate about social justice and believed strongly in using knowledge and education to make the world a better place for all.

Above all, Phillip cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Harris; his children, Steven Harris (Debra), Victoria Harris, Janine Harris (Tim), and Katy (Aaron); his grandchildren, Angela, Mica (Fonzie), Olivia (Gabe), Chloe (Michael), and Mia; and his great-grandchildren, Katrina, Amonnie, Jullien, and Beckham. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose warmth and wisdom will be deeply missed.

Phillip often reflected that he had “lived a majestic life.” Those who knew and loved him would agree.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.splcenter.org/. A celebration of life will be planned at a later time.

Online condolences may be shared at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com