Rickey F. Harris
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with over 20 years in academic administration, driving student engagement and enhancing academic performance. Committed to fostering inclusive environments through diversity and equity initiatives, while cultivating strong relationships with faculty, students, and families to support collaborative educational experiences.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Chicago, Illinois
07.2022 - Current
- Led school-wide initiatives to enhance student engagement and academic performance.
- Provided instructional leadership to faculty and staff in the areas of curriculum development, assessment practices and professional growth activities.
- Collaborated with faculty to develop and implement curriculum improvements.
- Organized professional development workshops for faculty on best teaching practices.
- Managed staff evaluations to promote professional development and instructional quality.
- Facilitated community partnerships to support student learning and resources.
- Oversaw budget planning to ensure efficient allocation of school resources.
- Monitored student academic performance data in order to identify trends or areas of need that require additional resources or support.
- Championed diversity initiatives to foster an inclusive school culture.
Assistant Principal
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
07.2020 - Current
- Collaborated with Principal as member of Administrative Leadership Team to support 2000+ students, aligning daily operations with school vision and fostering a positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Led MTSS, Professional Development, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion teams to implement initiatives that strengthened school culture and climate, including restorative justice, attendance improvement, and mental health support.
- Supervised Diverse Learners department, conducting classroom evaluations to assess and enhance teacher strategies and effectiveness using REACH Framework.
- Participated as a member of Administrative Leadership Team, in conjunction with Local School Council to collaborate in short term and long-term planning for the school.
- Coordinated all state assessments for 7-12 graders from planning through implementation.
Dean of Faculty
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
07.2017 - 06.2020
- Recruited, hired and trained academic faculty and staff members.
- Provided training and resources for faculty leaders.
- Oversaw alignment of professional development initiatives with school goals to ensure coherence and relevance.
- Collaborated with Dean of Teaching and Learning to support faculty professional growth.
- Coordinated collaboration among classroom teaching teams and teacher leadership teams to enhance instructional practices.
- In coordination with the Principal, evaluated faculty per identified evaluation cycle.
- Maintained congruence between the School's mission, core values, and core beliefs and all activities in N-2.
- Acted as principal during the Principal's absence at selected meetings and events.
- Facilitated planning and discussions for N-2 Wellness Council programs to promote student well-being.
Director of Student Life
Wolcott School
07.2015 - 07.2018
- Supported the Head of School in leading an innovative faculty and staff in employing best practices to help students with learning differences achieve academically, communicate effectively, and grow socially.
- Guided teachers in developing and diversifying instruction to effectively serve students of varying skill levels and backgrounds.
- Acted as a liaison between student and teacher; student and student; parent and teacher – to resolve conflicts peacefully based on expectations outlined in Student Handbook.
- Oversaw English and Arts and Innovation Departments, including coaching, curriculum development, and evaluation of instructional practices.
- Contributed insights during team meetings to enhance student services as a member of the Student Services Team.
- Collaborated with faculty to develop weekly student advisory programming.
- Provided teacher feedback on the quality of planning and delivery of instruction using a custom evaluation tool closely aligned to the Danielson model.
- Acted as liaison between school and Parent Guardian Network.
- Coordinated all aspects of Graduation Ceremony to ensure a memorable experience for graduates and their families.
Assistant Principal
Dvorak School of Excellence, AUSL
06.2014 - 07.2015
- Partnered with the school principal to lead 450+ student population and 40+ faculty and staff in instructional effectiveness, resource management and student achievement in turnaround school model.
- Supported teachers in enhancing proficiency through ongoing feedback on lesson plans, observations, and student achievement data.
- Provided individualized support for teachers in lesson planning and modeling instructional strategies.
- Led team in planning and implementing initiatives to enhance school culture and climate, including PBIS, attendance, and after school programming.
- Conducted monthly deep dives into discipline and developed actionable improvement plans.
Student Support Director
South Shore International College Prep
11.2013 - 06.2014
- Transformed school-wide behavior management from punitive consequences to student ownership, enhancing instructional time.
- Led initiatives for teachers to incorporate the REACH evaluation model to improve the learning environment and culture of the classroom.
- Led work to integrate instruction and socio-emotional supports during ISS so that students continued with on track studies and began working on personal growth and development.
- Collaborated with principal and assistant principal to lead 450+ students and 40+ faculty in improving instructional effectiveness and resource management.
- Facilitated conflict resolution as a liaison among students, teachers, and parents, fostering a more harmonious school environment.
- Participated as a member of the Administrative Leadership Team which included assisting in the short term and long term planning for the school.
Principal
St. Margaret Of Scotland School
07.2010 - 11.2013
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
- Oversaw daily operations of 50 employees and 200 students, creating an inspiring atmosphere that enhanced employee and student experiences.
- Supervised and evaluated the instructional program continuously.
- Collaborated with teacher team to develop primary focus and implement new Math curriculum fostering collaboration among teachers, curriculum alignment, deeper level thinking and comprehension of content among students.
- Prepared an annual $1.5M school budget in conjunction with finance committee members.
- Maintained relationships with key stakeholders, including finance committee members, parents, students and staff.
- Obtained funding for essential projects to enhance educational resources. for Preschool For All program to meet the needs of community and increase student enrollment.
- Secured funding for training and purchase of interactive whiteboards to enhance instruction with the use of technology in the classrooms.
- Ensured the maintenance and safety of the school plant according to local, state, Archdiocesan and the Office of Catholic Schools policies, procedures and directives.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Expanded programming offerings for students and families, enriching overall student experience.
Dean of Students
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
07.2005 - 06.2010
- Partnered with the Principal as a member of the Administrative Leadership Team to provide leadership for day-to-day operation of the 2000+ student population in conjunction with the school mission.
- Met with student leaders of the Junior Class to plan, implement and execute activities, create and maintain a budget to enhance their high school experience.
- Integrated academics and extracurricular activities to enhance high school experience for students.
- Managed Summer Jobs Program to help students in grades 9-11 build life skills, job experiences.
- Collaborated with teachers and students to analyze and revise school cell phone policy, foster a culture of academic excellence.
- Coordinated the planning and execution of the annual Graduation Ceremony.
- Supervised Science department, conducting teacher observations and evaluations to support instructional growth.
Assistant Principal
St. Sabina Academy
07.2001 - 06.2006
- Created, developed and implemented a school-wide Code of Conduct to provide standards and expectations for students, teachers, parents and administrators to assist all students in increasing student achievement
- Managed student disciplinary issues from initial incident to resolution, ensuring effective communication with parents throughout the process.
- Delivered weekly reports to principal on teacher, parent, and student concerns, outlining interventions to address issues and support school objectives.
- Collaborated with teachers in Summer School and Extended Day Programs to assess student needs and tailor instruction, enhancing program effectiveness and student engagement.
- Managed daily school operations during principal's absence
- Partnered with principal to evaluate Early Childhood Program in order to receive NAEYC accreditation
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership - ABD
DePaul University
Chicago, IL07-2026
Master of Arts - Educational Administration
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL05-2008
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL05-1996
Skills
Educational leadership
Staff evaluation
- Budget management
- Data analysis
- Partnership development
Accomplishments
- 2024 Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Award
- 2026 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago Principal of The Year Award
- 2026 Bronzeville Children's Museum Dream Maker Award
Timeline
Principal
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
07.2022 - Current
Assistant Principal
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
07.2020 - Current
Dean of Faculty
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
07.2017 - 06.2020
Director of Student Life
Wolcott School
07.2015 - 07.2018
Assistant Principal
Dvorak School of Excellence, AUSL
06.2014 - 07.2015
Student Support Director
South Shore International College Prep
11.2013 - 06.2014
Principal
St. Margaret Of Scotland School
07.2010 - 11.2013
Dean of Students
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
07.2005 - 06.2010
Assistant Principal
St. Sabina Academy
07.2001 - 06.2006
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership - ABD
DePaul University
Master of Arts - Educational Administration
Chicago State University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Chicago State University