Rasheena Harris is a candidate for Newport News School Board – North. Her name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Harris is running against William Beverley and John Bloom for Newport News School Board – North.
The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office for this election is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Biography: I am Rasheena Harris, a dedicated community member and advocate for education and youth. With extensive experience in human services, behavioral health, and community engagement, I bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. I hold a Master’s degree in Education with a focus in Policy, Planning, and Administration from Boston University, with a specialization in Community Agencies. I am a Newport News Public School substitute. I am a Qualified Mental Health Professional for children (QMHP-C) and a trained Mobile Crisis Responder for children with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD). My passion and commitment lie in improving education through equity and inclusion, mental health and well-being, teacher support and development, technology integration, and community engagement. I aim to be part of a system and team that creates positive and productive educational experiences for students, parents, educators, and community members.
My dedication to serving youth as a servant leader is evident in my career trajectory and my contributions to various boards and organizations, including The Heart of Giving, Peninsula Agency on Aging, and the Tri-Citi Hurricanes Youth Foundation, where I currently serve as the Administrator. Under my leadership, the Tri-Citi Youth Foundation was honored as the 2023 Non-Profit of the Year by Emerge Magazine for its exceptional growth and community impact. I was recently named Executive Director of Foster Care at the James Barry Robinson Institute.
When asked what distinguishes me from other candidates, I respond, “My unique perspective is threefold: as a parent of Newport News Public School children, an educator, and a mental health professional.” This distinction is what makes my candidacy even more special.
In my spare time, I enjoy writing, spending time with my husband, Dr. Marcellus” B2″ Harris III and my two children Marcellus “LA” and Marlinda.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for School Board because I have a desire to continue serving children and families. I display advocacy, mentorship, and support in several capacities and would be honored to add to the school division as an additional platform with my background in policy and administration. I have innovative ideas and concepts that I believe can assist in pushing the division forward.
What is the top challenge facing Newport News Public Schools, and how would you address it?
The top challenge facing Newport News Public Schools is safety. Physical safety and mental safety are encompassed together. This has impacted the mental health and trust of the division which has led to other challenges (recruitment, retention).
Experience in the human service field always leads to being strength-based and solution- focused. Metal detectors, and clear book bags have added a layer of security. Robert Stewart, Jr, our new NNPS Executive Director of Crisis Planning, Prevention & Environmental Risk Management reported at the last school board meeting on August 20th that 2 additional SRO’s would be added to each school building. Additionally, 119 Plant Projects are underway to include improving safety measures on several school building entry ways. During one of my children’s open houses I met with a Military based therapist who was new to the building and expressed she would also counsel students in need. I believe that safety is a matter that will encompass several entities to remedy and/or decrease unsafe incidents across the division. I think that Newport News Public Schools is paying attention to the challenges and chipping away to create the environment that all students deserve.
What do you believe still needs to be changed following the Grand Jury’s Report on Richneck Elementary School?
I believe that ensuring that we are paying attention to students with frequent behavioral concerns will be important to provide resources and wrap-around services such as Therapeutic Day Treatment and Intensive In-home. I think that this support will need to be holistic and extend to families along with the child.
Do you believe parents of other students should be informed of disciplinary action in the classroom?
If the child was impacted or directly involved I absolutely feel that the parent should be informed. This way all parties have the opportunity to process with their children and discuss a plan on dealing with future occurrences should they arise.
How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?
It is my obligation to value all perspectives. Actively listening, allowing people to feel heard and respecting different opinions is a part of being an effective leader. I may not agree but we can compromise, encompass other ideas, or agree to disagree. I believe in dialogue and looking at outcomes based on historical data/information. I believe that finding a common ground and solutions that resolve the broader good should be the goal. What do we all want at the end of the day? Inclusive decision making, transparent communication leads to robust dialogue and a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
What is your view on the Governor’s Executive Order to ban cell phone use?
I believe that during class instruction phones should be put away but accessible in the case of a classified emergency. One of my platform priorities is Technology Integration and Balance. While technology is essential, it’s equally important to dedicate time to class instruction, critical thinking, and conflict resolution.
