 He engaged in teaching and became a master at Huddersfield Technical College in 1844, and five years later was appointed classics master at the Blackheath preparatory school.In 1844 he married Catherine Prior Hall, with whom he had six children, including Georgiana Poulett Harris (Mrs. Ingle, 1845–1919), first headmistress of Christchurch Girls' High School in New Zealand.After his wife's death in June 1856, Harris went to Tasmania to become headmaster of the Hobart high school, and filled the position with much ability, inspiring both respect and affection from his pupils.