Dr. Gastrid Harrigan is a current Principal and a Part-Time Professor of Education. He specializes in supporting teachers to build trusting relationships with students and improving the culture and climate of schools to optimize staff and students experience. He frequently speaks at leadership, curriculum, youth, and mentoring conferences.
He is the Host of The School Leader's Podcast. The School Leader's Podcast is a podcast for current and aspiring principals on a mission to create a school of excellence. On this podcast, he explores the challenges, strategies, and successes of the school leader's journey. He also shares his reflections and tips from over 15 years as a school leader. He dives deep into the real work of school leaders and how to plan for success. Listeners will hear from fellow school leaders and other voices on the field to level up schools and scale up their leadership practices in several areas, including school culture, student achievement, school improvement, social-emotional learning, innovative ideas, and more.
Previously, Dr. Harrigan worked as a high school math teacher and assistant principal at the elementary and secondary levels for over 19 years. He has been instrumental in transforming his school culture and establishing systems of support, resulting in an over 89% increase in graduation and implementing schoolwide STEM, SEL, Trauma-informed, and PBIS programs, leading to the school being named the Florida PBIS Model School. Through the My Next Move Career Readiness Program, he has secured nearly half a million dollars in grants and funding and partners with businesses and local governments to provide career readiness and internships to students.
Dr. Harrigan received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, and Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Teaching & Learning from Walden University.