District News

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- Harrison Park Academy's new leader brings a teaching background that spans from kindergarten to high school, shaped by diverse experiences at several GRPS schools.

“My whole goal in my career is to be a positive impact on as many people as I can," Harrison Park Academy Principal Brad Moore shared. "That's why I'm in education. Because when I'm done, I will be able to say that I had a positive impact on thousands of lives."

Moore's leadership philosophy is grounded in creating a positive culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

"I started doing morning announcements and I would finish with a dad joke, and I became a very funny-centric administrator."

Moore didn't always realize his path would lead to becoming a principal, but during his journey through GRPS he realized that he was growing as a leader.

"When I was a teacher,at first I thought being a principal was not in the cards for me," Moore explained. "A few years into my role at Aberdeen, I found myself leading amongst the staff and working with the principal and thinking about things schoolwide instead of just my little corner of the building."

Moore's inspiration to pursue education came from a high school teacher, Mr. Barnabo, who brought learning to life and made class a place he looked forward to. It was this kind of engagement that Moore now seeks to bring to his own scholars.

"A successful school starts with a great culture," he said. "I light up from growth. When their scores are low one year and then suddenly they're proficient in reading, that brings me joy."