LS High principal wins top honor for being ‘kind, compassionate, student-centered’

In her first year as principal of Lee’s Summit High School, Kari Harrison faced a bond issue, a potential building redesign, a major grant application and an administrative team short a member due to injury.

How Harrison handled those challenges has brought accolades from her staff and the Exemplary New Principal award from the Greater Kansas City Missouri Principals Association for the 2019-20 school year.

Harrison dealt with so much more than the transition expected with a principal change, says Lee’s Summit High School Assistant Principal Nacole Boan, who nominated Harrison for the recognition.

“Through all of that, she remains kind, compassionate, student-centered and supportive of those around her,” Boan wrote in the nomination.

“She is forward-thinking in her pedagogy, making decisions that are not only fair in the immediacy but will shape the scope and sequence of teaching at Lee’s Summit High School for the foreseeable future,” Boan’s nomination said.

“She sets a great example of ‘take the work seriously but not yourself’ in that she approaches leadership with humor and humility while articulating a high standard of professionalism and practice from teachers and other staff.”

When presented the award, Harrison said the year has had many unpredictable turns.

The global pandemic, she said, “has completely shifted each aspect of society, including education.”

“Education is an institution that traditionally moves slowly, but this incident required immediate shifts. While it is and has been very challenging, this crisis has opened some doors to re-think how we educate. I’m excited to see how we continue to capitalize on some of the positive developments.”

Harrison has an impressive tenure and background in education.

The daughter of educators, she grew up in both Kirksville and Sweet Springs, Missouri. Her father is a retired Missouri school superintendent and her mother is a retired career and technical education administrator.

Her family influenced Harrison’s decision to pursue a career in education.

She says her interest comes from “watching my parents serve in a profession that gave them purpose” and her experiences with her brother.

“My brother was two years younger than me and born with severe cerebral palsy,” Harrison says. “He was the biggest influence on me. From him I learned to always focus on the joy of each day and to continue to get up every time you fall. I finally decided to pursue a career in education based on my interactions with him and my desire to care for and support others as they develop.”

She earned a bachelor of arts in middle school education from the University of Missouri; a master’s in special education from the University of Missouri; and an educational specialist’s degree and educational doctorate degree from St. Louis University in educational leadership.

Harrison taught middle school science in Harrisonville and Adrian school districts, and high school science in the Adrian School District.

She was an assistant principal at Lee’s Summit High School for seven year before becoming principal beginning at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. She replaced John Faulkenberry, who retired.

Harrison loves everything about education.

“Regardless of the building or age range of the children, when I walk into a school, I love the energy and delight that surrounds students,” she says.

“Teachers are tremendous humans who have an innate desire to serve. Through creativity, talent and dedication they challenge children to be better every day, and I love that I can support that work. Also, education is a field where change and development should be occurring. I have a passion for moving education forward, thinking through innovative ways to structure schools and classes to prepare students for the future.“

Some aspects of assuming the role of principal surprised Harrison.

“I was able to connect with more students and families as the lead principal than I had as an assistant,” Harrison says. “Moving into administration out of the classroom, the biggest challenge is losing the daily contact with students. But I found last year that I could spend more time interacting with students in positive settings and that was a surprising but welcome occurrence.”

When Harrison accepted her honor, she made sure to credit her staff.

“I believe each person’s role in a school community is demanding, and the best way to support that work is through the assistance of a productive team,” Harrison says. “Teachers, counselors, para professionals, support staff, and administrators all rely on each other to problem-solve, design and encourage. I am grateful for the collaboration from my administrative team as we lead our school together.”

In her nomination, Boan wrote that the school is grateful as well.

“Kari walks the halls and knows the names and details of every student she encounters; she knows details of Lee’s Summit High School staff’s personal lives. She is invested in the people that make Tiger High so phenomenal.

“That level of care and knowledge of those around her helps build a positive culture in which students and staff alike enjoy coming to school daily.”