Dr. William E. Harner
| Once a young non-reader himself, Dr. Harner now has a passion for dramatically improving literacy rates and reading in school systems. |
Dr. William E. Harner has been the Superintendent of Quakertown Community School District since March 2014. He previously served as the Acting Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Superintendent of Cumberland Valley School District in Pennsylvania and Greenville County Schools in South Carolina, Deputy to the CEO of Philadelphia School District, and Principal of Gainesville Middle School in Georgia and Hilton Head High School in South Carolina.
As a transformational and inspirational leader of character, he has vast experience in improving student performance in urban, suburban and rural communities. As a result, he is a frequent presenter at state and national level conferences on improving culture, changing leadership, and advancing student achievement in culturally and economically diverse student populations. These efforts were noticed by the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, which awarded him the Torch of Global Enlightenment Award for 2020. Honorees represent the highest ideals of global engagement and enlightenment. Dr. Harner was specifically recognized for exemplifying the ideals of inclusiveness, respect for diversity, multiculturalism and interfaith dialogue. Under his leadership, QCSD was honored by The Peace Center for implementing its diversity and inclusion program for elementary school students, “Celebrating Me, Celebrating You,” at a district-wide level.
Once a young non-reader himself, Dr. Harner now has a passion for dramatically improving literacy rates and reading in school systems. He has been recognized as the Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians, National Administrator of the Year by the American Association for School Librarians, and Administrator of the Year by National Association for Gifted Children.
Dr. Harner brings to public education and school district leadership a unique set of knowledge, skills, and abilities that are student-centered and data-driven. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he served on active duty for 20 years in the U.S. Army. During his military career, he served in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States. Prior to retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1998, he had a tour of duty on the staff and faculty at West Point. He also served as Chief of the Policy & Strategy Branch, US Forces Korea in Seoul, and as an Infantry Battalion Commander at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. These experiences have given him insight into creating educational experiences and professional development opportunities for students and teachers with a global perspective.
Dr. Harner holds Master's degrees in Educational Leadership & Supervision and Human Resources, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
TOGETHER: Our Quakertown Journey
| Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner (red tie) sits with former QCHS Principal Dr. David Finnerty and his favorite people, QCSD students and teachers. |