Her Story
About Mary
Mary Harrison is an educator and workforce development leader with over 15 years of experience in education, beginning her career in 2009. She currently serves as Assistant Director of Workforce Development, a role she assumed after previously serving as Assistant Director of Academic Progress when district programs were realigned due to changes in state funding. In her current position, she oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, pre-apprenticeships, and experiential learning programs, helping expand student completion of CTE pathways from five to 41 in a single year. Her earlier instructional work included supporting TK–8 students through Tier 1 interventions in math, reading, writing, and critical thinking, delivered through both direct instruction and asynchronous learning models.
Throughout her career, Harrison has worked across classroom teaching, homeschool education, curriculum coordination, and program development. She has taught multiple grade levels, supported virtual and homeschool learning programs, and contributed to the design of synchronous and experiential learning experiences for diverse student populations. She also brings additional expertise in library and information science, having earned her MLIS degree and library credential after encouragement from a former professor. Her academic background includes a Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration, further reflecting her broad interests in educational systems, student development, and organizational leadership.
Harrison is actively engaged in professional and service organizations, including Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority and Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. She also volunteers with Feeding America, reflecting a commitment to community support beyond her professional roles. Her career perspective has been shaped by early experiences as a substitute teacher during the post-2008 recession, leading to a guiding insight that reliable, skilled educators hold strong professional value in any labor market. She is known for emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and the importance of maintaining professional integrity while navigating shifting educational and workforce systems.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mary
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistency, reliability, and a long-term commitment to education over the past 17 years. I began my career as a substitute teacher during the 2008 recession and gradually progressed into leadership roles, including my current position as Assistant Director of Workforce Development. Along the way, I have stayed actively engaged in professional organizations such as Omega Phi Alpha and Kappa Delta Pi, which have strengthened my leadership and service mindset. I also believe in the importance of community involvement, which is reflected in my volunteer work with Feeding America. Outside of my professional life, I maintain balance and discipline through personal interests such as dancing four days a week, which helps me stay grounded and focused.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most impactful lesson I have learned is that “they need me more than I need them.” I first understood this early in my career as a substitute teacher. If I did not show up, classrooms still needed to be covered, often requiring multiple teachers to step in. Over time, I consistently demonstrated reliability, and schools began to recognize the value I brought to their programs. That experience taught me that while individuals are not always replaceable in the same way, professionalism and dependability create lasting value and opportunities.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating frequent changes in state policy, which directly impact program implementation and planning. For example, there is a strong push for expanding pre-apprenticeships and internships, but logistical barriers—such as mandatory fingerprinting requirements and limited incentives for employers—make it difficult to build and sustain partnerships. Despite these challenges, I also see significant opportunity in strengthening workforce development systems and expanding access to Career and Technical Education pathways.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are professionalism, reliability, service, and resilience. In my work, I focus on creating meaningful outcomes for students and programs, including helping grow CTE pathway completions from zero to 41 students. Personally, I value service to others, which is reflected in my volunteer work and commitment to supporting communities. Across both my personal and professional life, I aim to lead with integrity, consistency, and a strong sense of responsibility.
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