From Osaka to Oakland, Rich Harrison’s journey bridges continents and classrooms, revealing how one educator’s global upbringing shaped his vision for more equitable, community-rooted public schools.

Born and raised in Japan to parents who met at UC Berkeley, Rich grew up immersed in Japanese culture before moving to the U.S. as a teenager. His early experiences navigating two languages and education systems profoundly shaped his empathy for English language learners and his lifelong commitment to inclusion. After beginning his teaching career in New York City’s Bronx schools, Rich credits the mentorship and resilience he found there for grounding his philosophy on what great teaching and leadership require: humility, community, and purpose.

Across two decades, Rich’s career has spanned the nation, from principalships in Denver to executive leadership in Dallas, each step refining his approach to student success. Over time, he moved away from the traditional “college for all” mindset toward a holistic model that centers career pathways, social-emotional learning, and sustainable community partnerships. Now as CEO of Lighthouse Community Public Schools in East Oakland, Rich leads a network of schools serving more than 1,600 students, championing proximity, equity, and authentic connection as the true drivers of educational transformation.

In this conversation, Rich reflects on leadership lessons shaped by adversity, from navigating tight budgets and pandemic-era disruption to combating burnout and modeling balance for educators. He offers candid insights on humility in leadership, the dangers of groupthink, and the power of cross-sector collaboration between schools, nonprofits, and public health. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how education can evolve to serve every learner and how leaders can sustain themselves in the process.

Tune in to hear how Rich Harrison continues to redefine what it means to lead with integrity, care, and community at the heart of education.

Chapters
🎧 00:59 Want a Podcast Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com
🌏 01:49 Rich’s Journey from Japan to New York
🏫 04:05 Teaching in the Bronx and Learning from Mentors
🎓 08:35 Educational Philosophy and Career Pathways
🏙️ 14:40 Community Collaboration and Leadership in Oakland
✍️ 20:18 Find Support for Writing Your Book at booksthatmatter.org
🔄 32:00 The Ripple Effect of Staff Turnover
🩺 34:28 Navigating Leadership During the Pandemic
🌿 37:28 Personal and Professional Growth After the Pandemic
🚀 46:12 If You’re a Changemaker Looking for Support, Visit geniusdiscovery.org
⚖️ 46:44 Balancing Leadership and Personal Well-being
💬 57:19 Reflections on Leadership and Community Impact
🔗 57:41 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links
Website: https://www.lighthousecharter.org
Instagram: @lighthouseschools
Connect with Rich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-harrison-814ab935/
Check out Lighthouse Community Public Schools online, connect with Rich Harrison on LinkedIn, and explore how his team is building pathways that help Oakland’s students thrive in college, career, and life.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from expert to thought leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.