Maria Harris is the School Principal for Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach, which is an early childhood education school that leverages federal, state and private dollars to offer high quality early childhood education to prevent the achievement gap. Educare ensures that children are prepared academically, socially and emotionally for kindergarten.
The first of its kind in Southern California, the Educare School is located on the campus of Barton Elementary School, near the Carmelitos Housing Project neighborhood of Long Beach. Educare Long Beach is one of 25 early education programs nationwide, the school is the result of a public/private partnership, including funding from private foundations, Head Start and State Preschool.
Maria has been a school administrator for over 14 years and has been in education for over 20 years in the Long Beach Unified School District. Maria started her accomplished career in the classroom teaching primary and intermediate grades; learning firsthand the impact that a strong education along with collaboration and goal oriented family partnerships has on children.
At Educare, Maria leads staff in delivering daily education services and practices that demonstrate the belief that everyone deserves a fair chance to achieve their dreams, and it starts by leveling the playing field from the day we are born. This is done by offering daily intensive family engagement along with high quality teaching and learning practices.
The Educare School serves up to 192 infants, toddlers and preschoolers in 16 classrooms in three one-story modular buildings. A two-story administration building, 19-space drop-off area and a unique developmentally appropriate playground is in place for Long Beach families and children. Maria continues to lead the approach that extends beyond the classroom to help children, families, and communities thrive.