Cheryl Watson-Harris, Ph.D.

Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris stands as an exemplar of educational leadership and a tireless advocate for equity, with more than three decades of transformative experience within and beyond the classroom. Presently, Dr. Watson-Harris serves as the President/Executive Director of Achieve Atlanta, a nonprofit organization helping Atlanta Public Schools students access, afford, and earn postsecondary credentials and chart their course to upward mobility.

Recognized as a “champion for children,” she is celebrated for her pioneering leadership approach, which fosters enhanced employee engagement and organizational capacity, culminating in advancements in student achievement. Over her illustrious career spanning education, administration, and community service, she has exhibited unparalleled expertise in dismantling barriers to success and crafting empowering opportunities for young learners and their families. Renowned as a strategic collaborator, she forges impactful community connections that drive collective progress.

A native of New York City, Watson-Harris embarked on her teaching journey in 1993 in Brooklyn, swiftly earning acclaim as her district’s nominee for the prestigious Mayoral “Most Excellent New Teacher” award. Following the completion of her master’s degree at Harvard University, she made a notable  impact as the youngest principal in the history of the Boston Public Schools, serving as a turnaround principal for 15 years before assuming the role of Network Superintendent. Her indelible mark on education continued upon her return to the New York City Department of Education, where she ascended to the position of First Deputy Chancellor, spearheading initiatives to support 1.1 million students and 1600 schools amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her tenure as Superintendent of DeKalb County Schools, Georgia’s third-largest district, Watson-Harris orchestrated the district’s successful reaccreditation and led a comprehensive ten-year planning endeavor for its facilities. An esteemed educator beyond the confines of her district, she has lent her expertise as a mentor for the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Ed.L.D. program, and as a member of the Harvard University Principal Center Advisory Board and the Leading Now Advisory Board, where she is the current Chair.

With academic credentials including a B.S.Ed. from Marymount College, an M.Ed. from Harvard University, and an Ed.D. from New York University, Watson-Harris embodies a fervent belief in every child’s entitlement to a stellar education. She remains steadfast in her commitment to guiding all students toward success, steadfastly advocating for districts and communities to journey “Onward and Upwards!”