TAUNTON – John M. Harrison is someone who is in competition with himself.
After eight 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 this,” Harrison said as he sat in his office and talked about his start as the new principal of Taunton High School.
Harrison, 39, replaces former Taunton High School principal Scott Holcomb, who left the school this year to become a school superintendent for Swansea.
“Dr. Harrison’s extensive experience and proven leadership in education make him the ideal candidate to lead THS,” said Superintendent John Cabral in a press release. “His commitment to student success and innovative approach to education will benefit our entire school community.”
Harrison’s path to becoming a teacher
A Westwood native, Harrison attended Babson College with the goal of pursuing a career in business. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Accounting.
After interning at an accounting firm in Boston, he realized accounting wasn’t the right career for him. But while at Babson, Harrison worked as a mentor to other students, which “instilled in me a passion for education.”
A co-mentor and acquaintance of Babson’s introduced him to her father, who was then principal of Reading Memorial High School. He left that meeting very enthusiastic about teaching.
When Harrison completed his master’s degree in the summer of 2007, the principal of Reading High School contacted him about a math teaching position. Thanks to a special permission from the principal, he was able to accept the position while working on obtaining his teaching license from Salem State University.
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Climbing the ladder
Harrison taught at Reading Memorial High School for five years. During that time, he also served as a classroom adviser, coach, and mentor to the freshmen. “I was very involved in the school culture. I was much more than just a teacher. That sparked my interest in taking on a leadership role.”
In 2012, he moved to Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School and became assistant principal, a position he held for four years. In 2016, he was named principal of Rockland High School.
Make a name for yourself
In his eight years as principal of Rockland High School, Harrison touts the school’s “significant gains in student achievement” as a proud accomplishment. That included increasing the percentage of students who meet or exceed expectations on the MCAS tests and doubling the student pass rate on Advanced Placement courses, from about 35% to 70%.
“We have surrounded ourselves with the right people,” Harrison said, praising the departments’ excellent teaching and leadership.
He also praises his work to improve the school’s culture, including expanding extracurricular and athletic offerings, introducing support programs for at-risk students and launching a mentoring program for freshmen. “We’ve done a lot to make students feel more connected to the school.”
Why come to Taunton?
Harrison said he has “always had ambitions” to work at a larger, urban high school. Taunton is a school district he has watched for years and has specifically sought employment for, he said. “I looked at it from afar.”
Harrison was impressed by the variety of programs Taunton High offers – programs, he said, that the smaller Rockland High could not offer due to insufficient resources and capacity.
These include a peer mediation program, an access center for students needing social and/or emotional support, a STRIVE program organized by the High Point Treatment Center, and a reset/support room supervised by adjustment counselors to help students deescalate behavioral issues and tense situations.
A whole new world
Harrison said his first year as principal is about learning and embracing the culture. “When a new principal comes in, you can’t come in with a set plan. You have to understand the strengths of the school and the needs of the community first. You have to talk to everyone and understand the traditions of Taunton High.”
Harrison describes his leadership style as cooperative, he always expresses friendliness, is a good listener and communicator and is always visible.
He said that with a larger student population, he will rely more heavily on his team of administrators and advisers and will adjust his leadership style. “My style will be the same as it is here, but the way I do things and spend my time will be different.”
He believes his years at Dighton-Rehoboth and Rockland high schools have prepared him well for this new role. “That speaks to my stability. The community wants someone who will stay here long-term. I have a good track record and a good reputation.”
