Dr. Oscar Harris Resume

Education

ADJUNCT FACULTY

06/2019–CURRENT

Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA

Taught the Intro to research methods undergraduate course, averaging 45 students per quarter, covering the following topics: Understanding Research Methodologies and Best practices in the Social Work field

ADJUNCT FACULTY

07/2017–CURRENT

Whitworth University | Spokane, WA

• Taught the Research Methods and Social and Emotional Learning graduate courses, averaging 20 students per semester, covering the topics of understanding SEL and implementing it in public schools
• Developed quizzes, exams, and homework
• Developed syllabus to meet accreditation standards

Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership

2020

City University, Seattle, WA

Ed.D. | Transformational Leadership

2019

Concordia University, Portland

Dissertation: A Phenomenological Study of Epstein's Parental Involvement Framework with Middle-School English-language Learner Teachers and Language Specialists

Principal Certification

2015

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

MSW | Social Work

2008

Eastern Washington University, Seattle, WA

BA | History

2006

Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA

Certifications

Superintendent Of Schools Certification

Principal Certification

Educational Staff Associate (ESA)

Work History

EXECUTIVE LEADER

08/2015–CURRENT

Spokane Public Schools (SPS) | Spokane, WA

Chief of Community Relations and Senior Advisor:

Oversee six managers who directly supervise over 20 staff members that manage the following programs/initiatives:

District’s Equity Initiatives:

District’s Equity Initiatives: I assisted SPS’s Board of Directors with the development and adoption of the district’s Equity Resolution. Managed the implementation of the following goals: 1) Development of an Ombudsperson process to evaluate all long-term suspensions and expulsions; 2) Development of a Person of Color-led Multi-Cultural Club in every school; 3) Enhanced the process for receiving and addressing student and family concerns about reported racial discrimination; and 4) Managed the process of drafting and soliciting stakeholder feedback of SPS’s Equity policy, which helps guide budgetary processes, operations, and student programming. Additionally, formed partnerships with key stakeholders to assist in the Equity Resolution implementation proce Organized ongoing parent listening sessions to strengthen cross-community collaboration efforts to receive input/feedback from staff, students, families, and community members throughout the implementation process.

Restorative Practices And Mediation Services:

Supervise the Restorative Practices manager and guided the implementation of restorative practices with SPS staff, families, and students. This included the training of over 200 school administrators and 4,000 school staff members and community members. Additionally, I provided high-level mediation services for families prior to situations’ becoming litigious, which has resulted in repaired relationships and potentially saved SPS millions of dollars in legal and other fees

Foster Care Liaison:

Developed and implemented Foster Care programming for SPS, which included building and formalizing the partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF); developed processes and procedures for staff to work with students in care. Provided training to school staff and advocacy services to

District Truancy Program:

Managed the implementation of the BECCA Law for SPS, trained school administrators, and oversaw the partnership between the juvenile court system and SPS. Managed an annual budget of about $400,000.

District Gang Prevention And Intervention Program:

Co-designed the current programming and assisted in the procurement of over one million dollars in grant monies to implement the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program with fidelity, to provide prevention services to students and families. Collaborated with law enforcement, social service agencies, labor and industry partners, mentoring program, and faith-based organizations to provide holistic services for families.

Native American Education Program:

Supervised the program coordinator and assisted in the development of new programming to support SPS’s Native American populations, which include over 120 different sovereign nations.

Community Partnership Programming:

Supervised the director of Community Partnerships and Equity training. Assisted with the development and management of MOUs between SPS and upwards of 20 community organizations. Additionally, guided staff in connecting school staff and families with community resources. Example: Worked with Comcast and a state representative to secure free internet access for 20 childcare agencies so they could facilitate the asynchronous learning for children in their care.