Headshot of Johnathan Harris

Johnathan Harris

He/Him
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts, SPCS
Athletic Academic Mentor for Football, Athletics
  • Profile

    Johnathan Harris has a career spanning over two decades in K-12 and higher education related to teaching, advising, leadership, and educational policy development. He is the Founder and Executive Director at The Lynnhaven School, a Project-Based Learning high school in Richmond. Harris is also the Founder and CEO of Heron Education, a boutique education consulting firm. Through Heron, he serves as a consultant for independent schools to enhance board governance, leadership, and incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) principles effectively.

    His research and teaching interests are Progressive Learning Theory, Family Engagement, Civil Rights in the Jim Crow Era, and Race and Education. His latest scholarly contribution, an article titled “Redefining High School Education: The Journey of The Lynnhaven School in Embracing Progressive Education in the Modern Era” was recently peer reviewed and accepted for the July edition of the Journal for Transformative Learning.

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    • Awards

      M. Carey Brewer Distinguished Alumni Award, Lynchburg College, 2016

      Top 40 Under 40, Style Weekly, 2016

    • Presentations

      Harris, J. (2023). A voteless people is a hopeless people. Presentation at the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., University of Richmond, Richmond, Va.

      Harris, J. (2020). The power of now. Presentation given at the 1st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Life and Legacy Celebration, Stetson University, DeLand, Fla.

      Harris, J. (2020). Where do we go from here? Presentation given at The Fierce Urgency of Now: MLK Celebration, University of Richmond Department of Athletics, Richmond, Va.

      Harris, J. (2019). The role of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) in identifying the unmet needs of students with disabilities. Presentation at the Parent Institute: Southwest Virginia.

      Harris, J. & Hitchcock, C. (2019). Diversity, equity, and inclusive practices at independent schools. Presentation given at the Richmond Family Magazine Education Conference, Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond, Va.

      Harris, J. (2018). A parent’s guide to understanding the special education process. Presentation at the Family Engagement Conference of Virginia.

      Harris, J. (2018). Chaos or community? Presentation given at The Annual MLK Celebration, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va.

    • Designations

      Headmaster Emeritus, The Lynnhaven School

    • Memberships

      Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

      International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

      Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

      National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE)

      Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)

      Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)

      National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

    • Professional Experience

      Athletic Academic Mentor (2022-Present)
      Football Team, University of Richmond

      School Leadership Career Coach (2023-Present)
      Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond

      Founder & Head of School (2012-2023)
      Lynnhaven School, Richmond

      Special Education Family Engagement Specialist (2018-2019)
      Virginia Department of Education, Richmond

      Special Education Parent Support Specialist (2010-2012)
      Alexandria City Public Schools, Alexandria, Va.

      Head of School (2008-2010)
      Elk Hill, Goochland, Va.

      Reading Specialist (2007-2008)
      Elk Hill, Goochland, Va.

    • Certifications

      ADA Coordinator

      Post Graduate Professional Teaching License: K-12 Special Education: LD & ED

      Dyslexia Awareness Certificate

      Certified Cognia Evaluator for Private Schools

      CPR and First Aid: Child and Adult