Rosemary Harris taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in Columbus Junction, Iowa, beginning in 1976, and was instrumental in developing the Columbus Migrant Program. Many of her students were Latino immigrants or migrants whose parents had come to work in the melon and tomato fields or the local packing plant. Harris worked with students from elementary through high school, and focused on beginning by building oral English proficiency. In 1987 she received a First in the Nation in Education (FINE) award from Governor Terry Branstad for her efforts. Harris was highly involved with her students and their overall integration into the community; among other things, she served as the faculty advisor for a Mexican folk dance and music troupe, Las Chicas Garibaldi or The Garibaldi Dancers, that performed throughout the state of Iowa, and taught in a Muscatine summer school for migrants.