Christy Harris
Christy Harris currently serves as the founding Dean of Relay Graduate School of Education in Atlanta. She began her career in education teaching freshman English at Georgia State University. It was during this time that she realized the need to touch the lives of students much earlier. As a result, she joined Teach for America in 2002 and began teaching middle school English for Atlanta Public Schools. Christy eventually moved to Brooklyn, New York to become the founding English teacher and later Dean of Students at Achievement First Crown Heights Middle School. Excited to return to her hometown of Atlanta in 2009 to become the founding Dean at KIPP STRIVE Academy, her path eventually led to becoming the Principal of KIPP STRIVE Academy. Christy led the team at KIPP STRIVE Academy to several honors, including Title 1 Highest Progress and Highest Performance School, Georgia School of Excellence, Georgia Charter School of the Year, and the National Blue Ribbon Award. Christy’s work in Atlanta led to the opportunity to lead KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools as the Chief Academic Officer. Christy has served as an independent leadership consultant to school leaders and leadership teams, non-profits, and community organizations.
Christy received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Georgia, her Master of Arts in English from Georgia State University, and her Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Christy developed a deep passion for developing not only the academic skills and interests of students and educators, but also promoting their social and emotional well-being. As a doctoral candidate in Vanderbilt’s Leadership and Learning in Organizations program, she hopes to use her experience and research to impact the continuous growth, improvement, and wellness of organizations dedicated to social justice, equity, and human rights.