Meet Dr. Cheryl Harmon

I’m Dr. Cheryl Harmon, an educator, strategist, and consultant with more than 25 years of experience helping schools, districts, nonprofits, and education organizations make sense of complex work and move toward clearer, more coherent action.

Across my career, I have worked at the intersection of curriculum, assessment, instruction, leadership, equity, and implementation. I began in the classroom, where I learned that students experience systems through the daily choices, relationships, expectations, and opportunities created around them. That understanding continues to shape how I approach strategy today.

Over time, my work expanded from classrooms to districts, state-level initiatives, and national education organizations. As a Chief Academic Officer and Vice President in mission-driven education nonprofits, I led teams developing curriculum, assessment, and instructional resources used by educators and students across the country. I am proud to have led the development of Chicago Public Schools’ PreK–5 English Language Arts curriculum, work that contributed to significant gains in reading achievement.

Today, through RootED Strategy Group, I partner with district leaders and education organizations to bring clarity, alignment, and coherence to complex work. My work often begins with listening: understanding what is actually happening across a system, identifying the patterns shaping outcomes, and helping leaders translate insight into focused priorities, practical tools, and sustainable implementation.

My Approach

Equity-Centered
I believe strategy should be grounded in the experiences of students, families, educators, and communities, especially those whose needs and voices have too often been marginalized.

Coherence-Focused
I help leaders connect strategy, systems, people, tools, evidence, and language so the work moves in a clear and aligned direction.

Collaborative
I listen first, ask careful questions, and work alongside leaders and teams to build solutions that are practical, thoughtful, and usable.

Implementation-Minded
I believe plans should guide real decisions. My work helps organizations move from broad ideas to structures, routines, and tools that support action over time.

Human
I lead with empathy, respect, honesty, and a deep belief in what becomes possible when people have clarity and the conditions to do meaningful work well.

A Little About Me

I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and we have two wonderful daughters and one senior dog. As a third-generation educator, I come to this work with a deep respect for learning, family, community, and the people who carry systems every day.

When I’m not working, you may find me cheering on my girls, planning a road trip, visiting museums and historic sites, reading historical fiction, or thinking through the next idea I want to write. I’m based in the Atlanta area and work with partners nationwide.

Let’s Connect

I’d love to learn more about your work, your goals, and the questions you are trying to answer. RootED Strategy Group can support education leaders and organizations as they clarify direction, align priorities, and move forward with focus.

Let’s Connectto start a conversation.