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Lessons Learned

April 7, 2020 | Brent Harris

I have learned plenty of important lessons during this time of social distancing—not to take things for granted,  to interact regularly with friends and family, that there are plenty of ways to engage socially that I didn’t take advantage of…

However, one of the lessons that I’ve learned is particularly pertinent to my job. I’ve learned that 7th graders are very resilient.

The 7th graders, despite the many difficulties this time in history is bringing, continue to get things done and are finding ways to socialize. It’s really quite inspiring. In our daily afternoon game, the students that can make it are eager to interact and incredibly positive and up lifting. I’ve found that to be a highlight of each day. I’m sure you can relate to the constant bombardment of information and news of the previous weeks. It’s very important to stay informed, but after a while, it can become quite grating and demoralizing, and for good reason. I’ve found Interacting with the 7th graders to be refreshing. It reminds me that there is still a lot of good around.

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Speaking of good things, starting at the end of the day this Thursday, we have Spring Break. It starts very appropriately with Easter. I am also refreshed during this time by Jesus’ sacrifice, and I hope you can find some comfort in that too. Students will be off from the end of the day Thursday until Tuesday, April 21. After being in isolation with things to do, now students will be in isolation with much less of a schedule. I hope that everyone can find meaningful ways to spend their time! Again, if you need any help, I shared an extra credit document with students and parents a couple weeks back. I’ve already received a handful of entries. Keep them coming!

Have a blessed Easter and Spring Break, everyone. Thank you for supporting your child during this time, and as always, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. 

—Brent Harris

Brent Harris

Teacher, Grade 7; Language Arts, Seventh and Eighth Grades

Brent Harris has been teaching Middle School students since 2015. He loves teaching students how to understand the world through literature and writing. He teaches English Language Arts, but he likes to teach other things too! Both of Mr. Harris' parents are educators, and despite trying his hardest to avoid following in his parents’ footsteps, he graduated from Calvin College with a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in English Education and a Minor in Physical Education; as a result, Brent is a great argument piece for any “Nature versus Nurture” debate.

In addition to teaching, Mr. Harris enjoys playing guitar and drums, listening to music, spending time outside, playing sports, and hanging out with his kind and loving wife, Lauren. A native of Ontario, Canada, Mr. Harris stays true to all the Canadian stereotypes by being extremely kind and perpetually sorry. He has been a director and counselor at multiple children’s camps in Canada and Michigan, and he appreciates the idea of teaching students and campers in a place where there is freedom to entertain new ideas and try out new things. Mr. Harris has enjoyed coaching volleyball, soccer, and baseball, and while he loves nature, he is being slowly converted into a city boy.

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