Meet Mr. Harmon

I started teaching in 1990 when I graduated with a bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I taught seventh and eighth grade language arts in Midlothian for one year before landing at River Trails in 1991, where I've been happily ensconsed as a seventh grade language arts teacher ever since. During my tenure at Trails I've earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum Design and Integration and an endorsement in ESL [English as a Second Language], both from National-Louis University.

I am currently the sponsor of the River Trails Chess Club. I also supervise the students in the cafeteria during lunch. I really enjoy and cherish these opportunities to interact with the students in a setting other than the classroom. I will also be serving on the School Improvement Committee and as Team Leader. I'm looking forward to these opportunities to be an integral part of a successful year here at River Trails.

I also served for four years with Jim Mannis, my friend and colleague, as the co-president of the RTEA [River Trails Education Association]. It was my humble pleasure to serve with Jim in this capacity as we strove to create a positive and professional environment where staff and students could thrive.

Here's a little bit more information about myself:

• My wife Elizabeth and I will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary on September 29, 2009. We have two boys (Arlo-15& Gabe-10), and one rabbit (Carrot-2).
• We live in a one-and-a-half story Craftsman Cottage in Crystal Lake, built in 1922.
• I enjoy going to the Wisconsin Dells, watching the Cubs, and exploring state parks with my family.   
• My hobbies include reading, biking, walking, and daydreaming about a hammock between two palm trees on a white sand beach.

Teacher Websites © 2009 SchoolWorld