The Harrison Central School District is excited to announce that Kimberly Beukema is the new Harrison High School principal.
Beukema was previously the principal of Johnson City High School near Binghamton, New York. In 2015, she received the High School Principal of the Year Award from the School Administrators Association of New York State for outstanding leadership and dedication to the success of her students.
In a letter to the community, Louis Wool, superintendent of the Harrison school district, said of Beukema, “She has had a distinguished career as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. However, her most distinguishing characteristic is a personality that exudes joy for her work and in her relationships. She is a relentless student advocate and has pioneered initiatives that ensure students have the resources and support to fully realize their potential.”
One of Beukema’s innovations was the implementation of “Just Take One,” a program in which each teacher mentors a student, building personal connections that strengthen the sense of belonging and community. Before being promoted as the principal of Johnson City High School, Beukema served as the school’s assistant principal for three years. She also spent 10 years as a high school English teacher in the Binghamton city schools, where she also served as a literacy coach and provided professional development for teachers.
Beukema earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English, and a master’s degree in Reading from the State University of New York at Cortland. She has also completed graduate course work in Educational Administration from the State University of New York at Cortland and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. (Submitted)
