Tonya Harris

Tonya Harris is the Director of Communications for the Council of the Great City Schools, the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 81 large city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate for inner-city students through legislation, research, and media relations.

Tonya oversees all communications efforts for the Council, aiming to raise awareness of its activities and enhance public confidence in urban education. She leads the organization’s editorial, digital, and media relations efforts, serving as editor of The Urban Educator, the Council’s monthly digital newsletter, and managing its website and social media platforms. She also organizes events, including a three-day professional development conference for communications directors in the Council’s member school districts.

Tonya holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in interactive journalism from American University.