Tanya Harris
Oakland,CA
Summary
Senior educational leader with expertise in PK–12 instructional systems, elementary transformation, inclusive practices, and equity-centered leadership. Proven success leading districtwide initiatives, coaching school leaders, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and aligning curriculum, professional learning, and MTSS systems to improve student outcomes.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Elementary Education
Alameda Unified School District
01.2022 - Current
- Supervise, coach, and evaluate a portfolio of 12 administrators, including PK-5 and TK-8 principals, district-level directors, and teachers on special assignment, strengthening instructional leadership across all elementary sites
- Provided strategic leadership and principal coaching through a complex TK-8 to K-5 school redesign, ensuring continuity of academic programming, staffing stability, and family communication
- Deliver individualized, equity-centered principal coaching aligned to instructional leadership, school culture, and measurable student outcome goals
- Managed elementary teaching and learning budget, overseeing staffing, contracts, timecards, and curriculum procurement to ensure fiscal accountability and alignment with instructional priorities
- Led a district-wide Elementary ELA adoption from materials selection through full implementation, aligning curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning across 10+ school sites
- Direct the Grading for Equity initiative, aligning reporting standards and grading practices to increase family transparency and trust across culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Designed and implemented a district-wide professional development system ensuring all elementary staff receive training in Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching (CLRT)
- Provide strategic leadership for elementary special education, building inclusive systems that ensure compliance and high-quality service across the full continuum of student need, including moderate-to-severe programs
- Led the design and implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) integrating academic intervention, behavioral health, and inclusive practices to support the whole child
- Redesigned the Early Childhood Education program, unifying California State Preschool (CSPP) and special education into a single inclusive model that integrates early intervention and serves as a district exemplar
- Supervised Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), providing strategic oversight for enhanced 9-hour school day that extends learning and wraparound supports for students
- Lead the Academic Committee, a joint labor-management body reviewing curriculum, initiatives, pilots, and professional learning to align district priorities and labor perspectives
- Lead the Teacher Summer Professional Learning Planning Team, coordinating TK-12 professional development aligned to district instructional goals
- Facilitate monthly Communities of Practice for elementary and secondary leaders to build shared accountability and improvement capacity
- Navigated complex stakeholder relationships with labor partners, community organizations, and district leadership, fostering collaboration and trust to support district initiatives
Principal
Otis Elementary School, Alameda Unified School District
Alameda, California
07.2015 - 07.2021
- Led the district's largest elementary school (640 students, 40 staff), achieving sustained improvement in academic outcomes, school climate, and family trust in a high-need, culturally diverse community
- Implemented a comprehensive MTSS framework including PBIS and equity-based master scheduling, resulting in significant reductions in discipline referrals and disproportionate outcomes for Black and African American students
- Led continuous improvement cycles to close opportunity gaps and address systemic inequities
- Served on the District Educational Redesign Team, navigating high-stakes school redesign with equity, community voice, and student access at the center
- Launched regional inclusion model with California Autism Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN), creating a replicable model for neighboring districts
- Established three site-based special education programs, including trauma-informed early learning transitions, to expand access and inclusion for students with the greatest needs
- Built sustained, trust-based relationships with families, community leaders, and external partners
Manager, Early Childhood Programs
Oakland Unified School District
07.2010 - 09.2014
- Led the early expansion and implementation of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in East Oakland and city-wide, establishing systems that scaled district-wide
- Directed child development centers in North and West Oakland, supervising 40+ certificated and classified staff to ensure high-quality early education across multiple sites
- Established school readiness assessment and report card, tracking early academic milestones and aligning whole-child supports to improve student outcomes
- Collaborated with Alameda County TK Task Force and Preschool California to develop culturally relevant engagement strategies, enhancing community involvement in early childhood education
- Participated in district task forces including African American Male Achievement and Special Education, aligning academic, behavioral, and family support systems
Education
Master of Arts -
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CAMultiple Subject Teaching Credential -
Holy Names College
OaklandBachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CASkills
- Instructional leadership
- Curriculum alignment
- Educational program design
- Equity-centered coaching
- Special education compliance
- Data analysis
- Resource allocation
Additional Qualifications
- 21CSLA State Center Lead Trainer, UC Berkeley - Designed and facilitated equity-focused leadership modules for California Regional Academies.
- DIAL-EE Fellow, Center for District Innovation and Leadership in Early Education (2022-2024).
- P3 Leadership Certificate.
Timeline
Director of Elementary Education
Alameda Unified School District
01.2022 - Current
Principal
Otis Elementary School, Alameda Unified School District
07.2015 - 07.2021
Manager, Early Childhood Programs
Oakland Unified School District
07.2010 - 09.2014
Master of Arts -
University of California, Berkeley
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential -
Holy Names College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University, Long Beach