Jazmin Harrison began her journey as a leader long before she stepped into her current role as executive director of Student Transportation Services.
Inspired by her own supportive upbringing, which led her to become a school counselor early in her career, Harrison helps thousands of students across the district achieve academic success by making sure they get to school.
Harrison, who is originally from California, was an elementary, middle, and high school counselor, as well as a counseling coordinator, for 13 years. Growing up, Harrison navigated the school environment on her own, but inspired by her mother’s constant support, she grew up wanting a career where she could be of support to others.
“My mother was very intentional about us bettering ourselves and becoming good people,” she said. “I admire that about my mother, who is Latina, and for that reason, I am proud of the roots I come from and the influential Hispanic women in education who have been in my life and guided me to where I am today.”
She joined Dallas ISD in 2008 and spent a decade guiding students’ academic success, as well as their social and emotional wellbeing.
“As I started to pursue post-secondary education and started working at a campus, it became clear to me that I wanted to pour onto other students,” she said. “I knew the challenges that I once faced as a student, and I knew that in serving as a school counselor, I could, in turn, be able to make a difference, especially to others that are first generation.”
Eventually, Harrison found herself at a crossroads, needing to find a new identity and a new journey while remaining in education, she said. She decided to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership. The experience led her to transition from counseling to student transportation.
In student transportation, Harrison impacts a greater number of students across the district than she did as a counselor. The impact of her work is just as important because in order to learn, students need to get to school.
“I hope students never underestimate their potential,” she said. “I want them to never set limits on what they can achieve.
This year, Harrison took on another challenge when she obtained her commercial driver’s license. She went through the program to connect with the bus drivers she supports with even more intention.
“My goal is to create sustainable systems that allow us to operate on a day-to-day basis,” she said. “We want the systems to continue to allow us to be consistent, even as new people fill roles. My main goal is to foster a positive work environment where people are happy to come to work here. We hope our stakeholders—our parents, our students, and our campuses—can always provide positive feedback about their experience with us.”