Tonya J. Harris has been named the lone candidate for Superintendent of Itasca
ISD. This announcement begins the 21-day waiting period required by state law
before a superintendent can sign a contract and begin working for a district.
Mrs. Harris earned her bachelor's degree in English and her master's degree in
Educational Administration from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. She
has worked in Education for more than 20 years, and over 10 of those years have
been in administration. She earned her Superintendent Certification in 2016 and
is working toward completing her doctoral thesis in Educational Leadership. Mrs.
Harris has been the principal of Waxahachie High School since 2019, where she
successfully navigated a Texas 6A High School through the COVID-19 pandemic,
doing everything in her efforts to keep morale strong and celebrate the senior
class of 2020. Under her leadership, high school graduation rates went from
92.6% to 95.2%, enrollment increased in PreAP and AP courses, and students saw
improved College Board Advanced Placement test scores.
Mrs. Harris believes in collaborating with her administrative team, faculty and
staff, students, and families to ensure that schools operate in a student-centered
atmosphere with the goal of academic growth and success. Even though teaching
and learning are her primary focus, Mrs. Harris wants all students and staff to feel
a sense of belonging and community. "I want students and staff to feel welcome
and enjoy coming to school."
Before serving as principal of Waxahachie High School, Mrs. Harris was the
principal of a STEM school in Royce City, Texas. She served as the Waxahachie
Ninth Grade Academy's assistant principal and Coordinator of the Waxahachie
High School of Choice. She also worked as a high school English teacher and a
cheer coach.
Mrs. Harris grew up in DeSoto, Texas. She and her husband, Kevin, raised their
four children in Ellis County. Three of her children are following in her footsteps
and pursuing careers in Education.
Mrs. Harris and her husband are excited to join the community of Itasca and
cheer for the Wampus Cats!