13 years in education
As a third-grade teacher, Christopher built expertise in curriculum design, differentiated instruction, and making complex topics accessible to diverse learners. That foundation shapes every part of The HARNESS Project.
Creator of The HARNESS Project
Meet Christopher Zacharie
Sexual health educator and curriculum developer. Christopher reframes sexual health education as something positive and empowering — accessible, non-judgmental, and grounded in real life.
- Certified HIV Prevention Specialist
- B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies
- 13 years teaching experience
- Curriculum designer
Professional bio
Christopher Zacharie is a sexual health educator, curriculum developer, and Certified HIV Prevention Specialist. As the creator of The HARNESS Project, he draws on more than a decade as a classroom teacher and specialized training in HIV and STI prevention to build educational tools that are accessible, non-judgmental, and grounded in real-world application.
With a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and 13 years of experience as a third-grade teacher, Christopher brings a deep understanding of curriculum design, pedagogy, and how to make complex information engaging. That foundation, combined with his HIV prevention work, lets him bridge the gap between clinical health education and practical, emotionally resonant learning.
The journey to HARNESS
In 2019, I had the information. I was an educator. I still tested positive for HIV. What I lacked wasn't knowledge. It was a system that could survive a real night with a real person when something went wrong.
So I built one.
Christopher's work is informed by lived experience and professional expertise. His approach moves beyond fear-based messaging to center empowerment, autonomy, and harm reduction. He believes education should meet people where they are — without judgment, shame, or assumptions — and give them the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about their bodies and relationships.
Through The HARNESS Project, Christopher has built a full ecosystem of learning tools: the HARNESS Adult Track and CAPE Youth Edition curricula, the books MATCH Your Protection: Science as Your Wingman and CAPE Youth Edition, the MATCH Flow and CAPE Flow apps, facilitator training, visual toolkits, and workshops.
His signature MATCH Framework offers a holistic approach to safer sex that respects how complicated real-life decisions are:
- Medications
- Awareness
- Tools
- Communication
- Habits
Silence is risk. Conversation is protection.
Christopher Zacharie
Teaching philosophy
Christopher's teaching is rooted in five core principles.
Positive, shame-free education
Health education should build connection, confidence, and autonomy — not just warn about risks and consequences.
Harm reduction: meet people where they are
Offer practical strategies that reduce harm and respect each person's choices, rather than demanding perfection.
Visual and metaphorical learning
Complex topics become accessible through visuals, metaphors, and storytelling that engage heart and mind.
Centering marginalized communities
LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and those most impacted by HIV and STIs deserve education that honors their experiences.
Confidence through knowledge
Information is empowerment. When people understand their options, they can advocate for themselves and their partners.
Professional experience
More than a decade of education, curriculum development, and HIV prevention work.
HIV Prevention Specialist
Certified training in HIV and STI prevention, PrEP navigation, and community health education, bringing evidence-based practice and clinical knowledge into the classroom.
Curriculum developer
Creator of the HARNESS Adult Track (6 modules, 19 chapters) and CAPE Youth Edition (18 chapters), with interactive apps, visual toolkits, and workshop formats for adult and youth audiences.
Author and content creator
Author of MATCH Your Protection: Science as Your Wingman and CAPE Youth Edition, and creator of The HARNESS Project's full ecosystem of tools and educational materials.
Workshop facilitator
Delivers sexual health workshops from 90-minute introductions to two-day intensives for schools, clinics, and community groups.
LGBTQ+ advocate
Dedicated to inclusive, affirming sexual health education that centers LGBTQ+ experiences and the specific needs of queer and trans communities.
Mission and vision
To transform sexual health education from a clinical, fear-based obligation into a bold, empowering, and emotionally resonant experience that builds trust, sparks curiosity, and honors personal autonomy.
The HARNESS Project exists because traditional sex education hasn't met people's real needs. By combining evidence-based content with interactive technology, visual storytelling, and practical tools, Christopher is building a new model: inclusive, shame-free, and genuinely empowering.
Evidence-basedRooted in public health best practice and current research.
Empowerment-focusedBuilding confidence and autonomy through knowledge.
Visually compellingMetaphors and visuals that make concepts memorable.
Inclusive and affirmingCentering LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities.
How every session runs
Ground rules for every workshop, youth or adult.
ConfidentialityWhat's shared here stays here.
RespectSpeak from your own experience.
Right to passYou never have to answer.
No judgmentQuestions are welcome.
Brave spaceHonest, not always comfortable.
Step up, step backShare the airtime.
Ready to transform sexual health education?
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