Schools & Communities
Atlanta, Boston, and New York
Urban School Specialists was founded by Dr. Roger F. Harris and Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris, who represent over 60 years of combined successful leadership in the pre-k-12 and higher education space. We have extensive experience in both traditional public and charter public school systems, and community based organizations in Boston, New York, and metro-Atlanta. As a consortium, USS associates include current and retired award-winning equity driven urban change agents.
Urban School Specialists recognizes the complexities, challenges, and opportunities, of leading in high poverty, underrepresented communities. We believe that all children are worthy of educational opportunities that will allow them to reach their potential and their preferred future. USS associates have demonstrated success in transforming school districts and youth agencies, accelerating student achievement, with an emphasis on equity, innovation, and preparation for successful citizenship in an ever-shrinking global community.
Urban School Specialists provides strategic assistance to central office school administrators, school leaders, business and community organizations with meeting and surpassing their strategic plan goals.
Urban School Specialists membership provides a host of activities for national and international educators to conference, share academic experiences and successful strategies. We believe that the issues in urban communities are global, making it a necessity to partner with educators and youth advocates across the globe to share best practices.
Services We Offer
Our Process
Assess
Implement
Review
Executive Leadership Team
Who are we?
Urban School Specialist was founded by Dr. Roger F. Harris and Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris, who have proudly served children, schools, and communities for over 60 years of combined service in prek-12 and higher education spaces.
Dr. Roger F. Harris, since returning from the Vietnam War as a combat Marine, has devoted his life to “making the path wider” for students and educators. His leadership has been celebrated nationally and internationally as Nationally Distinguished Principal, Massachusetts Principal of the Year, Boston University Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Confucius Classroom of the Year, and two time Blue Ribbon Award winner. His passions lie with mentoring, global competitiveness, and positive school climates that yield results.
Professional Endorsements
Distinguished Professor
University of Massachusetts Boston
Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris is a leader that has a clear vision for centering the needs of children by ensuring she is supporting and developing leaders towards a common vision. She leads with heart and her full authentic self that nurtures the leadership qualities in others to guide you toward realizing your full potential.
Many heroes have emerged from Boston’s neighborhoods, but none that have made the type of positive impact on the youth like Dr. Roger Harris. If there is anyone deserving to have a statue made to honor their legacy, placed outside the Statehouse in Boston Massachusetts it would be my lifelong friend and source of inspiration Dr. Roger “Kevvy” Harris.
Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute
Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color
Distinguished Professor
University of Massachusetts Boston
President of the New York City
Elementary Schools
Principal Association
Chancellor
of the New
York City Department
of Education
Schools School Support
Specialist and
Principal
Former CEO of
the Achievement
Network
Street Foundation
Many heroes have emerged from Boston’s neighborhoods, but none that have made the type of positive impact on the youth like Dr. Roger Harris. If there is anyone deserving to have a statue made to honor their legacy, placed outside the Statehouse in Boston Massachusetts it would be my lifelong friend and source of inspiration Dr. Roger “Kevvy” Harris.
Director Hung Tao Choy Mei
Leadership Institute
1351 U Street NW
Washington DC, 20009
Coalition of Schools
Educating Boys of Color