Winston School Appoints New Head of School

The Winston School’s Board of Directors has appointed Dena Harris as its new Head of School as of Aug. 1, 2016.

Harris’ experience in working with students with learning differences made her the logical leadership choice to direct the school’s mission to provide a positive and individualized learning environment for students with a wide variety of learning differences.

“We are thrilled to have Dena Harris on board to take Winston to the next level and expand our learning model and the way it changes the lives of our students and families.” said Laura Cunitz, President of the Winston Board of Directors. “Dena’s expertise with fundraising, leading edge curriculum and innovative technology solutions make her an excellent fit for the Winston vision.

Harris, 42, previously served as the chief executive officer of the award winning San Diego Global Vision Academies (SDGVA), a non-profit public charter school with 320 elementary and middle school students grades K-8. Prior to that, she was director of curriculum and instruction at MAAC Charter School in Chula Vista, and has been an educational technology consultant.

Harris is a key figure in the San Diego charter school movement and serves as a vice chair board member for the San Diego Unified School District Charter School Facility Committee that manages the Proposition Z Bond measure and $350 million in bond monies.

Harris’ knowledge of special education came through her on-the-job role as director of special education at SDGVA and through an 18-year private practice as a reading and educational specialist.

A graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz with a teaching credential from San Diego State University and a writing fellowship from the University of California at San Diego, Harris also has a master’s degree in education and credentials as a reading specialist. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher.

Harris previously served on the Board of Directors of the International Dyslexia Association.

The Winston School offers a college preparatory program for bright, creative students in grades 4 through 12 who struggle with a variety of learning differences. Winston offers exceptional students differentiated instructional modalities in a positive, supportive environment. The school's learning solutions help students meet their academic, artistic, social and emotional potential with small size classes, multi-sensory teaching methods and individual attention. For more information about The Winston School, visit The Winston School.