Park Center Senior High Principal Focuses On Helping Entire School Community Succeed
If you want to find Park Center Senior High Principal Antwan Harris, just listen for his laugh.
It bellowed up and down the school’s hallways recently as the first-year principal checked in on students and staff. Many of them ducked when they saw a TV camera was right behind him, causing him to laugh long and loud–and hard–each time.
“Every day is different,” said Harris, who was an assistant principal at Park Center from 2020 until last school year. “The first thing I begin with is being visible, being out in the hallways, speaking to kids, hanging out with kids, saying hello to my staff, moving around, and making sure my admin staff is visible.”
New Park Center Senior High Principal Dr. Antwan Harris greeted students in the hallway on Monday.
With 2,000 students and approximately 200 staff members in his charge, Harris said he’s focused on helping everyone succeed.
“It was a plus to be here for three years and to be able to get to know the environment, to get the know the staff, and many of the students,” he said. “Students learning my expectations–they already knew my expectations, especially returning students. To be able to be in this situation with a school of this size, to have a head start, so to speak, (and) that was real valuable.”
The 22-year veteran of education began his career as a teacher at Brooklyn Middle School next door to the high school. He’s also spent time in Robbinsdale schools. Harris received his doctorate in education last spring from St. Cloud State University.
He’s proud of his accomplishments, but Harris remains focused on the community in front of him.
“Oftentimes we get wrapped into the work, right? That’s part of the job,” he said. “We have to be able to also enjoy what we do, enjoy the time we have. I have to be sure to let the staff know, you know enjoy the time with the kids, let’s have some fun.”
Park Center Senior High School
