Taunton High School has a new leader. Meet Principal John Harrison

TAUNTON – John M. Harrison is someone who is in competition with himself.

After 8 years as principal of Rockland High School , Harrison felt it was time for a new rung on the career ladder.

“I’m at a point where I’m starting a new journey. I’m fully committed to it here,” said Harrison, sitting inside his office talking about his beginning as the new principal of Taunton High School.

Harrison, 39, replaces former Taunton High School Principal Scott Holcomb, who left this year to become Superintendent of Schools for Swansea .

“Dr. Harrison’s extensive experience and proven leadership in education make him the ideal candidate to guide THS," said Superintendent of Schools John Cabral in a press release. "His commitment to student success and his innovative approach to education will benefit our entire school community.”

Harrison's path to teaching

A native of Westwood, Harrison attended Babson College with a career trajectory towards business.  He has a bachelor’s of science degree in business management and a master’s of science in accounting.

After interning at an accounting firm in Boston, he realized accounting was not the career for him. But while at Babson, Harrison worked as a student mentor for other undergraduates, which “instilled a passion for education in me.”

A co-mentor and acquaintance at Babson introduced him to her father, who, at that time, was the principal at Reading Memorial High School . He came away from that meeting excited about teaching.

As Harrison was finishing his master’s program in summer 2007, Reading High’s principal contacted him about an opening for a math teacher.  Through a waiver from the principal, he was able to accept the job, while he worked to get licensed as a teacher from Salem State University .

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Climbing up the ladder

Harrison taught at Reading Memorial High School for 5 years.  During this time, he also served as the class advisor, a coach, and mentor for freshman.  “I was very involved with school culture.  I was way more than just a teacher.  This ignited my interest in being a leader.”

In 2012, he transferred to Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School to become its assistant principal , a role he held for 4 years. And in 2016, he was named principal at Rockland High School.

Making a name for himself

In his 8 years as principal at Rockland High School, Harrison touts the school “making significant gains in student achievement” as a proud accomplishment. This included increasing the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations with MCAS testing, as well as increasing the student pass rate for advanced placement courses by double, going from roughly 35% to 70%.

“We surrounded ourselves with the right people,” said Harrison, crediting excellent teaching and leadership from the departments.

He also touts his work improving the school’s culture, including expanding extra-curricular and sports offerings, introducing support programs for at-risk students, and starting a mentoring program for freshmen . “We did a lot to make students feel more connected to the school.”

Why come to Taunton

Harrison said he “always had aspirations” to work in a larger and urban high school.  Taunton was a school district he’d been watching and targeting for employment for years, he said.  “I was looking at it from afar.”

Harrison was impressed with the array of programming at Taunton High.  Programming, he said, that couldn’t be offered at the smaller Rockland High due to insufficient resources and capacity.

This includes a peer mediation program, an access center for students needing social and/or emotional assistance, a STRIVE program organized by High Point Treatment Center, and a reset/assistance room , monitored by adjustment counselors, for helping deescalate behavioral issues and tense scenarios for students.

Whole new world

Harrison said the first year for him as principal is about learning and absorbing the culture.  “When a new principal comes in, you can’t come in with a set plan. You have to first understand the school’s strengths, the needs of the community.  You have to talk with everyone, and understand the traditions of Taunton High.”

Harrison describes his style of leadership as collaborative, always expressing kindness, being a good listener and overall communicator, and always making himself visible.

He said with a larger student population, he will be relying more on his team of administrators and counselors, as well as adapting his leadership style.  “My style will be here, but how I do things and spend my time will be different.”

He feels his years with Dighton-Rehoboth and Rockland High schools have prepared him well for this new role.  “It speaks to my stability.  The community wants someone who will be here long-term.  I have a good track record and reputation.”

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton High School has a new leader. Meet Principal John Harrison