Former Assistant Principal Marcy Harelson was recently announced as the new principal of Stone Memorial High School in June.
“From the moment I stepped in this building, I felt at home,” said Harelson reflecting on when she was hired as the assistant principal at Stone Memorial in 2022.
Harelson replaced former SMHS principal Kelly Smith, who was promoted to the 9-12 curriculum and instruction supervisor role in Central Services.
After receiving a lot of support from her leaders, Harelson said she wanted to apply for the open position.
“I want to be a champion for Stone Memorial,” said Harelson. “And it’s my time [to] just lead and I’m ready to accept it.”
In her 26 years in education, Harelson has served most of her career in Cumberland County.
“I have been blessed with many, many people before me that have just embraced me and loved me and helped me and encouraged me,” said Harelson.
“I’m really excited, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t have some nerves, because I expect excellency from myself,” said Harelson. “I hold myself to a very high standard. But it’s just an honor to be the leader of this wonderful school.”
“I want to be part [of] and create the greatness that we’re going to have in this county,” said Harelson.
Most of the goals Harelson discussed for Stone Memorial lean on data-driven results.
“I want to be effective, consistent and I want to be fair,” said Harelson. “We’re going to be looking really hard at data. And we are going to have a slow rollout to re-educate teachers how to effectively — and have that ease to — use that data. Knowledge is power. And I’m all about empowering others. I want greatness.”
Harelson created a 30/60/90 day plan for the beginning of her term as principal at Stone Memorial. Sprinkled throughout her plan are motivational quotes from leaders around the world such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Winston Churchill.
In 30 days, Harelson said she is committed to focusing on people. According to her plan, she intends to:
Survey faculty and staff to use the data to set goals.Review school plans.Hire necessary positions in the school.Begin creating SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time Bound) goals.Meet with the School Resource Officer to establish
clear expectations surrounding vaping and parking lot
monitoring.Meeting with two departments weekly to determine what is necessary
for student and staff achievement.
Create a principal’s advisory council to understand the pulse of the student body.
In 60 days, Harelson said she is committed to focusing on the school’s vision and goals. According to her plan, she intends to:
Build trust with the faculty, staff, parents and students.Check the progress of the SMART goals to see if they are ready to be launched into the public.
In 90 days, Harelson said she is committed to focusing on the planning and progress. According to her plan, she intends to:
Seek areas in relationships with stakeholders that need to be strengthened.Check the progress of the school-wide goals and
make adjustments if necessary.
Look at department academic goals for re-evaluations pre and post EOC data collection.
One of Harelson’s goals in her 30/60/90 day plan is to establish a student advisory council.
“I don’t want them for intel,” said Harelson. “I want them because I need to know the pulse of the student body. Because they’re of the age where they’re starting and needing to advocate for themselves. I want them to be so empowered to seek opportunities, and I want to make sure the community is in our building providing those opportunities. This campus has and does offer so much, but there is always more we can keep grabbing for.”
Harelson shares her enthusiasm for greatness and success with her husband, Will Harelson, who works in the ER at the local hospital. She said they don’t have any children but consider their dog, Oso Georgie, their child.
“He’s quite special,” said Harelson about Oso Georgie. “He’s my love.”
Harelson said he is a 13-pound Shih Tzu. She said that in Spanish “Oso” means “bear” and that Oso Georgie is her “little bear.”
Harelson is a native to Cumberland County and has worked here since 1999 where she started as a third grade teacher at Crab Orchard Elementary school.
Harelson’s father, Robin Hall, still resides in the Homestead area. She has two older brothers and two nieces.
Harelson attended elementary school at Homestead Elementary and high school at Cumberland County High School.
Harelson has high expectations for Stone Memorial but she intends to impact the high school students by leading by example.
“I think that I’m going to have to model my expectation,” said Harelson. “I need to be a light. And I want us to grow.”
Harelson said that while she has been at Stone Memorial for three years, as she enters the new role she wants to develop deeper relationships.
“It’s going to be all about people, people, people for me,” said Harelson. “I’m very fortunate that this building is being handed over to me in a really good place. I’ve got some big shoes to fill. But I’m up to the challenge. And I know I have a lot of support to go to if I need that knowledge piece.”
While her first official day begins today, July 1, Harelson started working early in June when she was hired for the position. She shared that she has been told by many that she didn’t need to start early.
Her response: “I do, because I want the best for the kids and the parents and the staff and the faculty,” said Harelson. “Because they’re what makes this place go round.”