Ashley M. Harrison
Palmyra,PA
Summary
Dedicated Elementary Principal with a strong focus on fostering student-centered environments and building positive relationships among students, families, staff, and the community. Lead initiatives to enhance school culture, improve instructional practices through data-driven strategies, and empower educators. Committed to collaborative leadership and continuous improvement, ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Elementary Principal
Lingle Avenue Elementary School, Palmyra Area School District
Palmyra, PA
08.2022 - Current
- Provide instructional and operational leadership for an elementary school, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment for all students.
- Serve as the instructional leader for the building, modeling best practices and promoting a culture of collaboration, growth, and accountability.
- Lead and support teachers and staff through observation, feedback, goal-setting, and ongoing professional learning aligned with district initiatives and school improvement goals.
- Oversee curriculum implementation and continuous improvement efforts, with a strong focus on literacy, data analysis, and student achievement.
- Collaborate with district administration, building-level teams, and support staff to monitor student academic, behavioral, and social-emotional progress.
- Partner with families and community stakeholders to strengthen school-home relationships and promote student success.
- Manage school operations, student services, and personnel matters in a fair, thoughtful, and solution-oriented manner.
Assistant Principal
Lingle Avenue Elementary School, Palmyra Area School District
Palmyra, PA
08.2019 - 08.2022
- Collaborate with the principal to create a safe, welcoming, and positive school environment.
- Engage staff in data-driven instructional decision-making and assessment use.
- Collaborate with building level teams to evaluate the progression of students’ academic and behavioral goals and improvement plans.
- Assist in developing, revising, implementing, and evaluating curriculum.
- Provide onboarding, training, and professional development for staff.
- Communicate timely information to families and staff.
- Manage conflicts and school-based challenges respectfully.
- Maintain active relationships with stakeholders and represent the school within the community.
Reading Specialist
Palmyra Area School District
Palmyra, PA
08.2013 - 08.2019
- Designed and delivered targeted reading instruction for small groups of students in grades K–5 to enhance literacy skills.
- Developed and delivered professional development sessions while co-teaching with grade-level teachers to strengthen collaborative teaching practices.
- Collaborated with colleagues to identify student strengths and needs.
- Administered and analyzed district benchmarks and informal assessments.
- Organized and led reading meetings to inform district literacy decisions and improve instructional strategies.
- Attended ongoing professional development in Instructional Coaching through IU13.
5th Grade Teacher
Central Dauphin School District
Harrisburg, PA
08.2005 - 08.2013
- Planned and instructed all subject areas with varied instructional strategies to enhance student engagement and understanding.
- Differentiated instruction for diverse learners, including ELLs and students with IEPs, to ensure all students accessed the curriculum effectively.
- Incorporated Responsive Classroom practices to foster a supportive and inclusive classroom community.
- Evaluated and created assessments to guide instruction and flexible grouping.
- Collaborated with colleagues, specialists, and administrators.
- Participated in school-wide and family engagement events.
Education
Doctoral Student - Education
Widener University
04-2026
Principal K–12 Certification -
Penn State University
07-2018
Reading Specialist K–12 Certification -
Cabrini College
04-2012
Master of Arts - Education
Sacred Heart University
05-2005
Elementary Education K–6 Certification -
Sacred Heart University
05-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Sacred Heart University
05-2004
Skills
- Curriculum development
- ELA expertise
- Intervention strategies
- Professional development
- Collaborative teamwork
- Supportive school culture
- Relationship building
- Clear communication
Timeline
Elementary Principal
Lingle Avenue Elementary School, Palmyra Area School District
08.2022 - Current
Assistant Principal
Lingle Avenue Elementary School, Palmyra Area School District
08.2019 - 08.2022
Reading Specialist
Palmyra Area School District
08.2013 - 08.2019
5th Grade Teacher
Central Dauphin School District
08.2005 - 08.2013
Doctoral Student - Education
Widener University
Principal K–12 Certification -
Penn State University
Reading Specialist K–12 Certification -
Cabrini College
Master of Arts - Education
Sacred Heart University
Elementary Education K–6 Certification -
Sacred Heart University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Sacred Heart University