Mariners Christian names Heather Harrison head of school

Mariners Christian School board members recently announced former Middle School Principal Heather Harrison has been selected to lead the Costa Mesa campus as head of school.

Harrison came to Mariners Christian as an administrator in 2013 with more than a decade of public school experience. She was serving as interim head following the departure of former Head of School Troy Moore in July.

“I’m so blessed and honored, and humbled, to accept — I love this place.� the 44-year-old Costa Mesa mother of three said Tuesday. “There was no real way I would have said no. I wanted to make sure the staff and the families were taken care of.�

Board members announced Harrison’s selection Monday in a release. Board Chairman and Mariners Christian parent Lewis Brewster said while the search for a new head of school went national, Harrison rose as a top candidate for her innovative approach to instruction and leadership.

“She leads in faith, has tremendous faculty, staff and community support, and understands what it takes to achieve our long-standing mission to build a firm foundation through Christ-centered education.� Brewster said in the statement.

In her seven years at MCS, Harrison helped foster the creation of a middle school academy program and recently worked with faculty to transition learning to an online model during the coronavirus pandemic.

She said her family members are big believers in letting faith lead the way.

“We try to live our lives being willing and open to saying yes,� Harrison said. “A lot of that is a journey of faith and stepping into the unknown.�

Opened in 1987 at Irvine’s Mariners Church by a group of parents seeking a Christian education opportunity in the local community, Mariners Christian today serves 740 students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.

During her time as interim head, Harrison helped oversee the Costa Mesa campus as it enters the building phase of a $20-million “Bright Future� capital campaign that, nearly a decade in the making, is anticipated to be completed in September.

The new school head said with so much in transition, she’s excited to see what’s next for Mariners Christian.

“The possibilities are wide open,� she added.

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