Sandra Harris, director of the Center for Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership, is leading the way for the educational community as a teacher, author and leader for educational professionals. Her extensive educational experience goes far beyond the classroom.
Harris is a prolific writer with multiple publications under her belt. Her recent writing collaboration with Jane Irons, Lamar University professor of educational leadership, has won critical acclaim. Their book, The Challenges of No Child Left Behind: Understanding the Issues of Excellence, Accountability and Choice, was listed on the bestsellers list by the Library Journal Academic Newswire and the American Library Association.
Some of Harris’ earlier books include Best Practices of Award-winning Secondary Principals and Bravo Teachers: Building Relationships with Actions that Value Others. In addition to being editor of the nationally, peer-reviewed Education Leadership Review and the journal of the National Council of Principals of Educational Administration, she also serves on the editorial boards of many academic publications including Journal of Mentoring & Tutoring, NASSP Bulletin and Learning for Democracy.
After earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Harris went on to earn a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Harris’ educational career consists of classroom teaching, Title I reading specialist, elementary and secondary principal and superintendent. She joined Lamar’s College of Education and Human Development in 2004. Since then, Harris has been directing the doctoral program and teaching classes in qualitative research and cultural issues in American education. Harris has also created doctoral courses aimed at increasing the knowledge and efficiency of educators.
Her current focus is to continue teaching and build a strong doctoral program that provides students an opportunity to publish their work as well as present at regional, state, and national conferences. Harris said that her most exciting job in education is right here at Lamar.
For more information about Lamar’s Center for Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership, contact their office at (409) 880-8676 or visit their Web site at http://dept.lamar.edu/leadership.
