Harris Graduates from Middle to High School Director

Corey Harris, seen here presenting awards at last year’s Stellar Awards ceremony for middle schools, will become the district’s new director of high schools.

The director of middle schools at Des Moines Public Schools, Corey Harris, will become the district’s new director of high schools. Harris replaces Kathie Danielson, who will serve as interim principal at Hoover High School next school year before she retires.

“Corey Harris has been an important member of our leadership team who has brought renewed focus and purpose to our middle schools,” said Superintendent Tom Ahart. “From our graduation rate to college and career readiness to student engagement, I am confident that he will build upon and add to the gains we are making at our high schools.”

A key initiative Harris led for middle schools has been an increase in access to and participation in extracurricular activities, enhancing student engagement with their schools. Sports added or returned to DMPS middle schools include football, wrestling and cross country as well as activities such as debate, journalism and student government. Extracurricular participation at the middle school level has increased by more than 40% over the past few years.

Harris also organized the Stellar Awards, an annual recognition ceremony bringing together students from each of the district’s middle schools and honoring them for the accomplishments in school. The fourth annual Stellar Awards ceremony will be held on May 5.

“I am honored to have worked with our middle schools in Des Moines and excited for the opportunity to support the success of our high schools,” added Harris. “We want to make sure every secondary students has not only the opportunity to succeed in school, but the support they need to do so.”

“Our middle school team at DMPS has improved student outcomes dramatically under Corey’s leadership and support,” noted Tim Schott, executive director of secondary schools. “I know he is ready to extend that influence to support our high school students and staff succeed.”

Harris joined DMPS in 2013. Prior to coming to Des Moines he was a principal in Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Raleigh and Memphis, where he began his career as a teacher in 1996. He was also a senior director of Uplift Education, a network of public charter schools in the Dallas, TX area. Harris has a bachelor’s in education from Rust College and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Memphis.