Words of Appreciation
Letters, Cards, and Emails
Hello Mr. Harris,
I just wanted to reach out to you and thank you so much for the impact you've had on my life as a high school student and beyond. I took Pre-Calculus Honors my sophomore year, and I slacked off tremendously. I loved the way you taught math, and your obvious desire to help your students, but I used a different hard class I had as an excuse for my laziness. It was common for me to not even attempt homework, and I quickly fell behind in that class. I really regretted that moving forward, and even though I passed the class, I felt that I hadn't given it my all and that I had missed an opportunity to really learn.
My dad (who also used to teach AP Stat at Reynolds) convinced me somehow to take AP Statistics. He said it would help me in any future career, and would benefit me greatly. I had lost my confidence in my ability to do math, but I signed up anyway.
On day one of the class, I realized how much I was going to enjoy the class. I found statistics and your teaching of it to be engaging, fascinating, and VERY applicable to real life. I also told myself that I would try my hardest, and work to show that I cared and wanted to succeed. I had so much fun in that class, and it is easily one of the most beneficial classes I've ever taken. It has already helped me make decisions, seek out truth, and use metacognition to avoid freaking out over a situation.
You are one of the most amazing teachers I've ever had - you care tremendously for your students, you genuinely want to help them grow as problem solvers and thinkers, and you teach in a way that challenges the way that we learn. I'm not alone in this line of thinking - you are regarded by the greater student body (by every level of student) as an excellent teacher. It's rare that a teacher earns the respect of every level of student, and it's only possible by being genuine, kind, and brilliant. I never thanked my teachers enough, and I know most students don't either. But I hope you know how positively you've impacted all of your students - teaching us to slow down and really think about a problem, to remain calm and confident under pressure, to be statistically literate and see through faulty studies and claims. On top of all of this, we learned compassion, dedication, and enthusiasm from the way you taught us. I learned so much about thinking and mathematics, but I think my biggest takeaways were of confidence, strategy, and wanting to help others grow like you have.
Thank you so much for everything you do, it doesn't go unnoticed, even though as teenagers we often don't think to appreciate what we have in class.
Silas S.
I just wanted to reach out to you and thank you so much for the impact you've had on my life as a high school student and beyond. I took Pre-Calculus Honors my sophomore year, and I slacked off tremendously. I loved the way you taught math, and your obvious desire to help your students, but I used a different hard class I had as an excuse for my laziness. It was common for me to not even attempt homework, and I quickly fell behind in that class. I really regretted that moving forward, and even though I passed the class, I felt that I hadn't given it my all and that I had missed an opportunity to really learn.
My dad (who also used to teach AP Stat at Reynolds) convinced me somehow to take AP Statistics. He said it would help me in any future career, and would benefit me greatly. I had lost my confidence in my ability to do math, but I signed up anyway.
On day one of the class, I realized how much I was going to enjoy the class. I found statistics and your teaching of it to be engaging, fascinating, and VERY applicable to real life. I also told myself that I would try my hardest, and work to show that I cared and wanted to succeed. I had so much fun in that class, and it is easily one of the most beneficial classes I've ever taken. It has already helped me make decisions, seek out truth, and use metacognition to avoid freaking out over a situation.
You are one of the most amazing teachers I've ever had - you care tremendously for your students, you genuinely want to help them grow as problem solvers and thinkers, and you teach in a way that challenges the way that we learn. I'm not alone in this line of thinking - you are regarded by the greater student body (by every level of student) as an excellent teacher. It's rare that a teacher earns the respect of every level of student, and it's only possible by being genuine, kind, and brilliant. I never thanked my teachers enough, and I know most students don't either. But I hope you know how positively you've impacted all of your students - teaching us to slow down and really think about a problem, to remain calm and confident under pressure, to be statistically literate and see through faulty studies and claims. On top of all of this, we learned compassion, dedication, and enthusiasm from the way you taught us. I learned so much about thinking and mathematics, but I think my biggest takeaways were of confidence, strategy, and wanting to help others grow like you have.
Thank you so much for everything you do, it doesn't go unnoticed, even though as teenagers we often don't think to appreciate what we have in class.
Silas S.
Dear Mr. Harris
I walked into your class a few years ago, a student who had struggled in math. It was by far, my weakest subject and by far, my least favorite. But day after day, I got better and better. And as the year came to an end, I had developed a much better grasp of the subject, I even liked it! You were an amazing teacher. I ended your class, fully prepared for my junior year of math. You taught every lesson down to every last detail, tip and trick. But the impact you made on my education went beyond your classroom and the math you taught.
Over the course of my sophomore year, you taught me to enjoy learning. And you didn't teach it by reciting a textbook of scrolling though a PowerPoint. I'm really not sure if you meant to teach it at all! You created a curiosity that drove me to learn...you challenged me. You asked the tough questions. Slowly, I began to seek out knowledge rather than waiting for it to find me. For the first time in high school, I wanted to learn... And I truly began to enjoy it.
While recently skimming through the endless pages of notes I took for your class, I found an Einstein quote that I had jotted down. Scribbled amidst my doodles it read "education is what remains after one has long forgotten what he learned in school". I had copied it from a small poster you had hanging in your room, just above your desk. I'm not sure id the quote meant anything to you, or if the poster was merely decoration. But I am sure it represents the type of education I received in your class. One that will follow me through the rest of my life. And one for which I owe tremendous gratitude. I cannot express how grateful I am to have found such inspiration in your class. With it, I have accomplished more than I ever imagined.; and without it, I would not be the person I am today.
Thank you Mr. Harris
Sincerely,
Dalton V.
I walked into your class a few years ago, a student who had struggled in math. It was by far, my weakest subject and by far, my least favorite. But day after day, I got better and better. And as the year came to an end, I had developed a much better grasp of the subject, I even liked it! You were an amazing teacher. I ended your class, fully prepared for my junior year of math. You taught every lesson down to every last detail, tip and trick. But the impact you made on my education went beyond your classroom and the math you taught.
Over the course of my sophomore year, you taught me to enjoy learning. And you didn't teach it by reciting a textbook of scrolling though a PowerPoint. I'm really not sure if you meant to teach it at all! You created a curiosity that drove me to learn...you challenged me. You asked the tough questions. Slowly, I began to seek out knowledge rather than waiting for it to find me. For the first time in high school, I wanted to learn... And I truly began to enjoy it.
While recently skimming through the endless pages of notes I took for your class, I found an Einstein quote that I had jotted down. Scribbled amidst my doodles it read "education is what remains after one has long forgotten what he learned in school". I had copied it from a small poster you had hanging in your room, just above your desk. I'm not sure id the quote meant anything to you, or if the poster was merely decoration. But I am sure it represents the type of education I received in your class. One that will follow me through the rest of my life. And one for which I owe tremendous gratitude. I cannot express how grateful I am to have found such inspiration in your class. With it, I have accomplished more than I ever imagined.; and without it, I would not be the person I am today.
Thank you Mr. Harris
Sincerely,
Dalton V.
Hey Mr. Harris, it's Alyssa!
I hope you're having a great summer and enjoying yourself (as much as you can be at least). I'm sure you've already seen our scores, but in case you haven't, I got a 5. I honestly could not have gotten that score without you and your teaching. You made me learn that it's ok not to always have the right answer but it's never ok not to try. Stats was the first class in my entire school experience where I felt comfortable enough to raise my hand and ask a question without feeling like the teacher would think that I'm dumb. I'm trying to make this brief so in short, thank you for this wonderful year and for creating the classroom that I looked forward to coming to everyday.
Alyssa M
Hey Mr. Harris, it's Alyssa!
I just wanted to quickly let you know that I got into both NC State and Carolina for math and statistics! I'm ecstatic and freaking out. I can't believe I got in. Carolina also offered me an accelerated research position and summer opportunity with $5,000 to fund the research. I know I say this a lot, but honestly, I wouldn't be where I am right now without you and I am so thankful to have had you as a teacher. I appreciate everything you've taught and done for me. Have a great rest of the week!
Alyssa M
I hope you're having a great summer and enjoying yourself (as much as you can be at least). I'm sure you've already seen our scores, but in case you haven't, I got a 5. I honestly could not have gotten that score without you and your teaching. You made me learn that it's ok not to always have the right answer but it's never ok not to try. Stats was the first class in my entire school experience where I felt comfortable enough to raise my hand and ask a question without feeling like the teacher would think that I'm dumb. I'm trying to make this brief so in short, thank you for this wonderful year and for creating the classroom that I looked forward to coming to everyday.
Alyssa M
Hey Mr. Harris, it's Alyssa!
I just wanted to quickly let you know that I got into both NC State and Carolina for math and statistics! I'm ecstatic and freaking out. I can't believe I got in. Carolina also offered me an accelerated research position and summer opportunity with $5,000 to fund the research. I know I say this a lot, but honestly, I wouldn't be where I am right now without you and I am so thankful to have had you as a teacher. I appreciate everything you've taught and done for me. Have a great rest of the week!
Alyssa M
Hi Mr. Harris.
I apologize that this note is long overdue. I had difficulty finding the words.
You went above and beyond in trying to understand and teach my daughter, as well as all the other students that each had their own learning styles, barriers, emotional and behavioral challenges, stresses, and needs. In all of my many, many teacher conferences over the years, I have never encountered a teacher that went to such great lengths to really try and understand what I was trying to express. It is stressful to be a parent, especially of a child that learns atypically. I cannot imagine, what it must feel like to be a teacher with hundreds of students over the years with all such different needs.
You are truly inspiring. I don't know what did or did not work of the strategies we discussed in our meeting. But what I can say for sure, is that your willingness to understand and to consider changing your method of teaching to try and meet the needs of my student made a huge impact on her well-being. It showed her, in a very stressful world where many people tend to resist change and defend their positions relentlessly, that her intelligent teacher cared so much, that he was willing to make changes if that might be for the better. If she had failed your class after all that, your efforts would still have been well worth it. Your demonstration of human kindness and willingness to learn and change made a positive impact in her life that will remain always.
Thank you so very, very much,
Kathy S.
I apologize that this note is long overdue. I had difficulty finding the words.
You went above and beyond in trying to understand and teach my daughter, as well as all the other students that each had their own learning styles, barriers, emotional and behavioral challenges, stresses, and needs. In all of my many, many teacher conferences over the years, I have never encountered a teacher that went to such great lengths to really try and understand what I was trying to express. It is stressful to be a parent, especially of a child that learns atypically. I cannot imagine, what it must feel like to be a teacher with hundreds of students over the years with all such different needs.
You are truly inspiring. I don't know what did or did not work of the strategies we discussed in our meeting. But what I can say for sure, is that your willingness to understand and to consider changing your method of teaching to try and meet the needs of my student made a huge impact on her well-being. It showed her, in a very stressful world where many people tend to resist change and defend their positions relentlessly, that her intelligent teacher cared so much, that he was willing to make changes if that might be for the better. If she had failed your class after all that, your efforts would still have been well worth it. Your demonstration of human kindness and willingness to learn and change made a positive impact in her life that will remain always.
Thank you so very, very much,
Kathy S.
Dear Mr. Harris
My name is Scott P. and I am Hannaleigh P's father. My wife Jane and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the amazing job that you did teaching Hannahleigh's statistics class during this past school year.
I am also a teacher and I know that just one teacher who makes the extra effort to be inspiring and engaging can make an enormous difference in a student's life. For Hannahleigh, you have been that teacher. As you may know, Hannahleigh is planning to major in statistics this fall at Elon University. Had she not taken this class she would not have found this path.
I know how much extra effort it takes to make a class engaging and challenging. Thanks so much for putting in that effort, you have had a huge positive effect on Hannahleigh's life.
Sincerely,
Scott and Jane P.
My name is Scott P. and I am Hannaleigh P's father. My wife Jane and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the amazing job that you did teaching Hannahleigh's statistics class during this past school year.
I am also a teacher and I know that just one teacher who makes the extra effort to be inspiring and engaging can make an enormous difference in a student's life. For Hannahleigh, you have been that teacher. As you may know, Hannahleigh is planning to major in statistics this fall at Elon University. Had she not taken this class she would not have found this path.
I know how much extra effort it takes to make a class engaging and challenging. Thanks so much for putting in that effort, you have had a huge positive effect on Hannahleigh's life.
Sincerely,
Scott and Jane P.
Dear Mr. Harris,
Our son Charlie was in your Honors Precalculus class this semester, and we wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your hard work, patience, and dedication. After struggling through Math 3 last year, Charlie was a little apprehensive about taking this class. From the beginning, you made it clear that you were absolutely committed to helping each student succeed. Charlie always felt comfortable coming to you with questions, no matter how small, and never felt "stupid" for being confused (as he sometimes has in the past with other teachers). Thank you for being so supportive, encouraging, and approachable! This semester he has gone from hating math to telling us it is one of his favorite subjects!
In this loud and often critical world, teachers just don't hear "thank you" often enough. You have been a huge blessing in Charlie's life, and we are so glad he got to have you for a teacher!
Sincerely,
Ruth Ann & John A.
Our son Charlie was in your Honors Precalculus class this semester, and we wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your hard work, patience, and dedication. After struggling through Math 3 last year, Charlie was a little apprehensive about taking this class. From the beginning, you made it clear that you were absolutely committed to helping each student succeed. Charlie always felt comfortable coming to you with questions, no matter how small, and never felt "stupid" for being confused (as he sometimes has in the past with other teachers). Thank you for being so supportive, encouraging, and approachable! This semester he has gone from hating math to telling us it is one of his favorite subjects!
In this loud and often critical world, teachers just don't hear "thank you" often enough. You have been a huge blessing in Charlie's life, and we are so glad he got to have you for a teacher!
Sincerely,
Ruth Ann & John A.
This is for sure the least boring math I have ever taken! I am excited to see what is coming up!
Henry P.
Henry P.
Mr. Harris -
Just a little something to say thank you for a great semester. Hannah told us your class was the hardest math class she has ever had and that it was also the class she's learned the most since coming to ACRHS. What a compliment!
We are grateful for your hard work and dedication. Thanks again!
Byron and Karin G.
Just a little something to say thank you for a great semester. Hannah told us your class was the hardest math class she has ever had and that it was also the class she's learned the most since coming to ACRHS. What a compliment!
We are grateful for your hard work and dedication. Thanks again!
Byron and Karin G.
Dear Mr. Harris
We feel very blessed to have met you. Every time we come into class we feel valued and recognized. Your understand a lot about the world and we are forever grateful you share your experiences with us! Thank you for always being responsive. Have a wonderful break!
Ashley and Aaron
Ashley and Aaron
Mr. Harris -
Allow me to begin by saying you're the best math teacher I've ever had. Your patience, kindness, and intellect create an enjoyable and engaging math class. I so appreciate how you tolerate my questions and misunderstandings.... Also, the extra credit opportunities you offer are much valued. So thank you for all you do for us student. I hope you know that we value you so much! We'd be dead without your precal knowledge.
Sincerely,
Olivia S.
Allow me to begin by saying you're the best math teacher I've ever had. Your patience, kindness, and intellect create an enjoyable and engaging math class. I so appreciate how you tolerate my questions and misunderstandings.... Also, the extra credit opportunities you offer are much valued. So thank you for all you do for us student. I hope you know that we value you so much! We'd be dead without your precal knowledge.
Sincerely,
Olivia S.
Mr. Harris,
Thank you for teaching me that math is a struggle, but learning in that struggle is where the improvement comes from. Statistics (and all math really) is such a powerful tool & I hope I can learn far more as I study with more great teachers like you at UNC!
Thank you for being the best math teacher I've ever had. Also thank you Mrs. Harris for the pizza! That was great!
Thank you for a great year!
Zeke T.
Thank you for teaching me that math is a struggle, but learning in that struggle is where the improvement comes from. Statistics (and all math really) is such a powerful tool & I hope I can learn far more as I study with more great teachers like you at UNC!
Thank you for being the best math teacher I've ever had. Also thank you Mrs. Harris for the pizza! That was great!
Thank you for a great year!
Zeke T.
Mr. Harris.
I could not be more proud than I am now to have you represent ACRHS as our Teacher of the Year! You represent the character, professionalism, and ethics of a teacher that we should see in education! You are so knowledgeable in the field of mathematics and you know how to communicate that knowledge to students. You also care about students, peer colleagues, and our school community.
I am so grateful for you daily and honored you chose ACRHS as your place to teach! Obviously, from this recognition, others see you as an outstanding educator just like I do!
Congratulations and well-deserved!
Doris Sellers,
Principal, ACHRS
I could not be more proud than I am now to have you represent ACRHS as our Teacher of the Year! You represent the character, professionalism, and ethics of a teacher that we should see in education! You are so knowledgeable in the field of mathematics and you know how to communicate that knowledge to students. You also care about students, peer colleagues, and our school community.
I am so grateful for you daily and honored you chose ACRHS as your place to teach! Obviously, from this recognition, others see you as an outstanding educator just like I do!
Congratulations and well-deserved!
Doris Sellers,
Principal, ACHRS
Mr. Harris!!
I got a 4 on the stats exam!! Thank you so much for all that you did for me. I never thought that I could actually enjoy math until you were my teacher. Thank you for never giving up on me and giving me constant encouragement.
Thank you again,
Caitlin
I got a 4 on the stats exam!! Thank you so much for all that you did for me. I never thought that I could actually enjoy math until you were my teacher. Thank you for never giving up on me and giving me constant encouragement.
Thank you again,
Caitlin
Gift from my
AP Statistics Kids
[view larger]
It was a surprise. I walked into class shortly after the AP Exam and they were
all wearing one!