Celebrating National Principals Month: Dr. Sandi Harrison of Liberty ES!

October is National Principals Month! Our Principals are amazing instructional leaders dedicated to ensuring our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else!  We’re recognizing these inspiring leaders with special posts throughout the month. Please join us in thanking them for all they do to support our mission of being the highest performing school district in Georgia.

Liberty Elementary School Principal Dr. Sandi Harrison

Why did you want to become a teacher?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a teacher.  As a child, I often played “school” at home, captivated by the energy and joy that I felt in classrooms.  Schools have always represented places of excitement, growth, and hope to me.  I wanted to be part of that world — not just as a student, but as someone who could bring learning to life for others.  I realized early on that my purpose was to support students in discovering their potential and thriving, and I could not be more thankful for this journey!
 
Who was the most influential teacher in your life?
My high school U.S. History teacher, Ms. Fifield, was the most influential teacher in my life.  When she spoke, we were captivated — her passion for history and her ability to help us connect with the content made a lasting impact.  That year, we took a field trip to Washington, D.C., and experiencing the places I had studied brought the learning to life in a powerful way.  Ms. Fifield showed me that great teaching is more than delivering content; it’s about creating meaningful connections, helping students see themselves in the learning, and helping us realize that even long-ago events can inform the decisions we make today.
 
What’s a favorite memory from your first year as a teacher?
While many memories come to mind, one that still makes me laugh happened at recess.  I had stepped off the curb to get the attention of some students when I suddenly heard someone yelling in near panic, “Get back on the curb! Get back on the curb!”  I turned around to see another teacher, who quickly realized it was me and not a student.  Her jaw dropped, and we both burst into laughter.  At least I knew she had my safety in mind — even if she momentarily mistook me for one of the kids!  Looking back now, I smile at those days when I was occasionally mistaken for a student.  Let’s just say that doesn’t happen anymore.
 
How did teaching prepare you to be a Principal?
Teaching prepared me to be a Principal because it grounded me in what truly matters — the people at the heart of a school.  I saw the joy of students learning and growing, and I also experienced the importance of empowering teachers and partnering with families to support that growth.  Teaching reinforced my belief that all students can learn and that the work of a school depends on collaboration — teachers, families, and leaders working together to create a community where students thrive.  Ultimately, those experiences shaped my desire to lead a school where both students and staff are equipped, supported, and inspired to meet challenges with confidence — so that students leave prepared to continue on their journey of learning, achieving, and positively impacting our world.

#CCSDElevateTheExcellence #ThankAPrincipal