Heroes Of The COVID Crisis: How John Harrington of Funds For Learning Stepped Up To Make A Difference During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Vision — A hero sees the possibility of an alternate outcome. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech painted a compelling picture of a society no longer marred by racial discrimination.

As part of my series about people who stepped up to make a difference during the COVID19 Pandemic, I had the pleasure of interviewing John Harrington.

In his role as Chief Executive Officer, John Harrington leads the nation’s premier E-rate compliance firm. Mr. Harrington and his firm provide service to the E-rate stakeholders nationwide and have helped schools and libraries apply for $2.8 billion in E-rate funding to support 21 st century communication infrastructures.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how and where you grew up?

I grew up in rural Iowa in a small town named Clear Lake. I walked to school and spent my summers swimming at the beach and riding my bike.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

The Ride of a Lifetime, by Robert Iger, the former head of Disney, has significantly impacted my leadership. I admire his commitment to fulfilling Disney’s mission, his care and attention to detail, and his ability to forge strong personal connections for the benefit of the organization. Great leadership can have a profound impact on the world, and it inspires me to lead well for the benefit of the communities that Funds For Learning serve.

Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?

“The speed of the leader is the speed of the team.” An organization cannot outpace its leadership. A leader’s tone, direction, and efficacy set the goalpost (or, alternatively, becomes the bottleneck) for any group. Knowing that Funds For Learning’s mission is to support students’ internet access, I decided long ago that I did not want to be the limiting factor in the work of our company to benefit communities. As CEO, I am responsible for giving my best for Funds For Learning to give its best.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. You are currently leading a social impact organization that has stepped up during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to address?

Funds For Learning helps K-12 students have the internet access that they need for education. We work with K-12 schools and public libraries throughout the United States with the aim that every student in America would be online learning whenever and wherever they need the connection.

In your opinion, what does it mean to be a hero?

A hero is someone with an unwavering commitment to do a job for the right reason. They have the ability and resources to help and don’t let challenging circumstances or the promise of convenience stand in their way.

In your opinion or experience, what are “5 characteristics of a hero? Please share a story or example for each.

1. Vision — A hero sees the possibility of an alternate outcome. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech painted a compelling picture of a society no longer marred by racial discrimination.
2. Compassion — A hero cares. Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Her care for others impacted millions of lives.
3. Resolve — A hero decides to stay the course. William Wilberforce was a leader in the movement to abolish slavery in Britain. He worked for more than twenty years to end slavery. He was steadfast in his commitment to the cause.
4. Purpose — A hero is compelled by an internal sense of purpose. A hero is not required to act. Instead, they choose to do so. For example, Malala is a public advocate for women’s education. She decided to fight for the right of every girl to go to school.
5. Action — A hero translates their compassion, resolve, vision and purpose into meaningful action and outcomes. For example, Mahatma Gandhi not only believed in civil rights but also took specific steps to bring about significant changes. A hero harnesses their beliefs and ideas into tangible efforts that make a difference.

If heroism is rooted in doing something difficult, scary, or even self-sacrificing, what do you think drives some people — ordinary people — to become heroes?

An ordinary person can become an extraordinary hero when they are aware of a need and feel compelled to address it, no matter the personal sacrifice.

What was the specific catalyst for you or your organization to take heroic action? At what point did you personally decide that heroic action needed to be taken?

For the past decade, our organization has been raising awareness and seeking support to close the “Homework Gap.” At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools began sending students home for remote learning, I knew it was going to be a challenge for millions of students in the United States to continue their education.

Who are your heroes, or who do you see as heroes today?

I am a member of a non-profit organization called EO, the Entrepreneurs Organization, and many of those men and women are my heroes. I am inspired by entrepreneurs who are working to make a difference in their communities. These leaders are finding solutions to problems and improving the lives of countless individuals.

Let’s talk a bit about what is happening in the world today. What specifically frightened or frightens you most about the pandemic?

I am most concerned about the long-term social consequences of the pandemic, particularly for students. The isolation and uncertainty of the past several years have impacted the development of young people, and we have only begun to assess its effect on their mental health and education. How might this affect their motivations, relationship skills, and career paths? Will there be an increase in substance abuse? Higher poverty rates? Adverse outcomes could easily plague our society for years to come, long after the pandemic is declared over.

Despite that, what gives you hope for the future? Can you explain?

I am hopeful for the future because of humans’ resilience and everyday heroes’ work. The world has seen darker days in the past, such as World War II, and sprung back. New heroes will rise to help our society rally around those who need support, and together we will be stronger and healthier than ever before.

What has inspired you the most about the behavior of people during the pandemic, and what behaviors do you find most disappointing?

I work with education professionals across the United States, and I have been inspired by their devotion to serving their communities during the pandemic. Despite many challenges, they have gone above and beyond their job duties, providing meals, internet connections, emotional support, and remote learning opportunities to students and families.

Meanwhile, I have been disappointed at the hostile attitude of so many citizens towards their schools and educators. Frustrations with quarantine and mask policies bubbled over to harsh rhetoric and aggressive actions directed towards good-intentioned school boards and district leaders who were simply doing their best to protect their communities amid an uncertain, dynamic health crisis.

Has this crisis caused you to reassess your view of the world or of society? We would love to hear what you mean.

This crisis has deepened my awareness of how much we need each other and how tightly interconnected our world is. Previously, I failed to grasp how dependent we all are on each other. The events that unfold on one side of the planet really do impact the other side. Healthcare. Education. Supply chains. International travel. Silicon computer chips. All of these, and more, are tied together. As a result, our global community is even smaller and more closely intertwined than I ever imagined.

What permanent societal changes would you like to see come out of this crisis?

The need for fast and reliable internet connections became apparent during the pandemic. Unfortunately, millions of people cannot get online easily or affordably, and they miss out on essential opportunities and services. In much the same way that electricity became a staple of our society, I hope that internet access will forevermore be seen as a fundamental requirement for every individual and family.

If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?

It has been said that it is better to give than to receive. A life invested in improving the future for others will be more rewarding and far more satisfying than a life focused solely on meeting individual needs and desires. Lasting value is found when we begin to give away our lives for the benefit of future generations.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

At Funds For Learning, our vision is that by the year 2031, every student in the United States will have the internet access that they need. Online access for every student will lead to every household having a connection to the outside world. An internet connection can be used for education, healthcare, employment, personal communications, and various other functions. Ubiquitous internet will transform our society for the better, improving quality of life, increasing income levels, and providing everyone the opportunity to participate in today’s global society. Will you join us in this mission?

Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I would be delighted to have breakfast or lunch with Jessica Rosenworcel, the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission. She is a champion for bringing internet access to every individual in the United States. I would love to hear more about her perspective on how organizations, communities, and government agencies can effectively collaborate to close the internet gap that exists today.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

I would love to engage with your readers online, via Twitter @jdharrington, or LinkedIn @JohnHarringtonCEO. To learn more about Funds For Learning, visit https://www.fundsforlearning.com/.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!