I was so excited when my school’s random scheduling algorithm assigned me Mr. Harrington for AP Lang. I didn’t know much about him aside from the fact that everyone on campus lauded him as both a teacher and a person, but I found out why last year. He takes a very personalized approach to teaching. We started the year by getting to know each other—I learned about his bird-watching hobby and he learned about my Beatles obsession—and then embarked on a curriculum focused on writing analytical essays on everything from “The Great Gatsby” to Baldwin’s “Going to Meet the Man.” What set his class apart from others was that Mr. Harrington genuinely cared about improving our essay skills. So much so that you didn’t want to just get a good grade, you wanted to impress him. He doesn’t just leave a detailed comment at the end of essays; he leaves dozens. They range from explaining how to develop arguments, to highlighting insightful lines, to giving clarity suggestions, to inside jokes (which always made his feedback feel more personal). These comments helped me with my writing so much that I worked my way up to a 5 on the AP test! In college application season, even after the class was over, he was always receptive to reviewing application essays. At first, I was concerned that as a teacher in expository writing, he would not be as helpful in college essays, but I was wrong. He provided the same detailed comments but tailored for college essays (aptly, one of his comments for me was that my writing was too descriptive and not personal enough). You’d be hard-pressed to find a teacher as knowledgeable, kind, and helpful as Mr. Harrington.
- David Litman, Class of 2022
There isn’t anyone whose opinion, notes and edits I value more than Mr. Harrington’s. If I could work with him on every single piece of writing in my career, I would! His notes show an unparalleled level of care, thought, and precision that I have never seen anyone else take in the editing process. He is the kind of specialist who always somehow inspires me to go further and think about my idea in a new way. It is a true art to give notes that both critique and motivate the writer, and Mr. Harrington is a master!
Specifically, in terms of my college essay, I remember having a lot of ideas and themes in my head that I couldn’t figure out how to best translate on the page. Mr. Harrington’s guidance was tremendously helpful as he worked with me on style and structure in order to communicate my idea more effectively. Mr. Harrington highlighted my strengths and helped me build on them, giving my college essay more direction and clarity. At the same time, his notes helped make my essay more “me” rather than inserting an external voice on the whole process. There simply isn’t anyone I would trust more or recommend more as an essay specialist. He is the reason for any writing success I’ve had, and I am forever grateful!
- Lauren Clark, Class of 2016
Mr. H joined my writing journey as my 11th-grade English teacher. I should admit that, at the time, the writing gods and I did not see eye to eye. My strained relationship with the English language as a whole was the result of a vicious cycle that I know many high schoolers struggle with: I was a poor writer, so I didn’t like writing, so I procrastinated on essays, so I didn’t get good grades on essays, so I disliked writing even more and procrastinated even more. What frustrated me the most was how impersonal writing felt; I was always trying (and failing) to replicate what I thought was the proper way of writing. I had no voice, or, at least, I hadn’t found it.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Mr. H changed all of this. Beyond sharpening my analytical abilities, he also worked with me to develop an iterative and more pleasant writing process, and, most importantly, he helped me find my voice. I think Mr. H’s “secret sauce” is his focus on the individual. He has a special ability to quickly understand the personalities and unique characteristics of his students, which, when combined with his command of the English language, develops confident voices in those that work with him. Working with Mr. H. felt like having a friend who is really really good at writing and intent on making you a better writer. I know it’s a bit of a weird analogy – no one has friends like that – but maybe a weird analogy is appropriate since Mr. H is one of a kind.
- Rodrigo Gallardo, Class of 2020
I have been fortunate to have Mr. Harrington as my English teacher for the past two years. When I think of him and his class, the first word that comes to my mind is growth. His passion for literature fostered the development of my love of reading while his valuable feedback improved my writing immensely. To elaborate on the quality of his feedback, every essay I have written for his class has been met with detailed comments and an in-depth breakdown of how the writing could be improved. For example, Mr. Harrington left more than 20 comments on the last essay I wrote for his class concerning my word choice, the quotations I incorporated, when I should elaborate more, and where my writing successfully argued my point. This feedback has been useful within the scope of his class and last year’s AP Language and Composition exam while it has also helped me find ways to improve my writing in other areas. That is why I asked him to revise my Common App essay. He read through three separate versions of that essay and left paragraphs of comments on each draft. His feedback helped me keep my writing genuine while also fitting within the word count and presenting myself in a favorable light. Mr. Harrington’s dedication to my growth as a writer and his valuable feedback has made him an incredible English teacher, and I could not be more grateful to have worked with him throughout my high school career.
- Hillary Altes, Class of 2022
I first met Mr. Harrington through a Zoom screen in my junior year of high school. I immediately connected to his authentic personality and teaching style. He was able to constantly challenge my analytical thinking through short answer questions, finding and responding to quotes, and group discussions. He has a way of trusting group discussions to run in whatever direction they need, while also chiming in to spark an interesting thought. He is the only one of my teachers to reply to my assignments with the most detailed and useful feedback, in a matter of days, I should add. He never assigns so much work that the material feels overwhelming. He never makes us take specific annotations. It has allowed us as students to fully process and enjoy every work we read, and it allowed me to fully digest the meanings and symbolism of the stories. I in turn write more insightful essays and understand the material more thoroughly. English became my favorite class in my junior year because of Mr. Harrington, and as soon as the time came to select our senior-year teachers, I wrote him as my top choice as soon as I could. I’ve gained many tools for reading, processing, and responding to the material, all thanks to Mr. Harrington. I look forward to having and applying this mindset in my college years.
- Valeria Ramos, Class of 2022
When I entered Mr. Harrington’s AP English class in 11th grade, I struggled with reading comprehension and was always one of the last students to finish an exam. Regardless of where I started, Mr. Harrington not only helped give me the tools to reach my writing potential, he helped me gain the confidence to do so. Every time I asked to go over his feedback on my essays, he was more than willing to meet outside of class and provide personalized suggestions for improvement. Perhaps what is most unique about Mr. Harrington is his ability to use his infectiously positive spirit to motivate students. He acknowledges and celebrates students’ successes. I’ll never forget when Mr. Harrington announced that someone had gotten the reading quiz extra credit question correct and the next thing I knew, he was standing in front of me, smiling. Granted, the extra credit medal was nothing more than a recycled plastic soccer medal from his son’s bedroom. Yet, he made me feel like it was pure gold and a symbol of growth and resilience. Not only did my reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills improve under Mr. Harrington’s guidance, so did my confidence in my writing abilities. Taking his course the following year was an easy decision. I can honestly say that Mr. Harrington has provided me with some of the most personalized feedback I have ever received from an instructor in academic writing. More than that, he has a unique ability to empower his students–all whilst having a smile on his face. I have no doubt that Mr. Harrington will continue to be an incredible mentor to students seeking to improve their writing skills and confidence. In the words of Walt Whitman, I am extremely grateful for Mr. Harrington helping me find my own barbaric yawp.
- Kennedy Kidd, Class of 2016
For the past two years, I have had the privilege of having Mr. Harrington as an English teacher and as a friendly face in the halls. I always knew he was a pretty good teacher. It was only when I opened Zoom (in the dark ages) to an energetic, impossibly positive, and enthusiastic teacher ready to dive into Walt Whitman that I knew he would be unforgettable. I still look back to the comments he wrote on my first essay of the class, him writing somewhat of an essay himself. “Rebecca, Thattagirl! Very nice. You write very well…You have full control over your prose and write with varied syntax (complex sentences, rhetorical questions, etc.)” That comment was almost worth more than the grade I got. I can attribute Mr. H to the confidence that I now carry when I write. When I wrote less praise-worthy essays, he gave paragraphs of feedback, with clear, constructive advice on how to improve my writing in the future. And what’s more, it was still in a way that applauded my writing.
Mr. Harrington is the kind of teacher you hope you never have a sub for. No other teacher eagerly dresses up as Holden Caulfield for Halloween or hosts a Jeopardy game at the end of the trimester (and then emails the class a detailed review of the prize-winning game show compiled with pictures and quirky quotes, of course). I asked Mr. H to read my personal statement essay a week before it was due. He was extremely accommodating and understanding: not only did he gladly accept, but he offered quick, invaluable, and insightful commentary. He is constantly reassuring, encouraging, and inspiring me to write without pressure or self-doubt. Mr. H is someone you can fall back on. His reliability and trustworthiness extend far beyond his essay comments (as many as there are–and there are a lot). Mr. Harrington is one of the most dedicated and thoughtful people I know. I have no doubt of the tremendous influence and expertise he would bring to this company.
- Rebbeca Blanchard, class of 2022
As I look back on my high school experience, what immediately comes to mind are the interpersonal connections I fostered. There are some people I have met and forged relationships with who have had a fundamental impact on me as an individual and on my life trajectory. Mr. Harrington was an incredible mentor and teacher who welcomed me when I moved to San Diego and played an instrumental role in strengthening my writing and building my self-confidence. Mr. Harrington’s dedication to his students is visible through any interaction with him. His passion for teaching and learning is palpable and inspiring. It is rare to find such a generous and caring educator like Mr. H, whose commitment shines through not only in person but also through his detailed and helpful notes and comments on writing assignments. Discussions were always lively and productive principally because Mr. Harrington fostered a classroom atmosphere that welcomed discussion and a plurality of perspectives. He shows genuine interest in what people have to say. As he moves on to this next chapter, I cannot recommend Mr. Harrington more highly as an educator, consultant, advisor, and mentor.
- Cary Dornier, Class of 2020
Before I entered Mr. Harrington’s AP Language and Composition class, I had never thought of writing as a skill that required “quick thinking.” In fact, until that point, my approach to writing was quite the opposite: I would spend hours upon hours crafting my introduction, brainstorming alliterative titles, generally poring over every last detail. Consequently, when I wrote my first timed essay for the course, the results were disastrous. Fifty-five minutes in, all I had to show for myself was an egregiously lengthy outline alongside two loosely related body paragraphs. Knowing that I needed to drastically improve my skills to succeed in the class (and on the AP exam), I went to Mr. Harrington for help; he provided much-needed advice about cutting my outlines, omitting intricate introductions, and keeping my responses concise and relevant, among other things. Over the course of the year, in addition to providing more detailed, assessment-specific feedback, he provided extra resources and practice prompts so that I could get comfortable writing in a timed setting, which ultimately allowed me to perform well on the AP exam. Mr. Harrington provided further support even after the AP, offering feedback on the initial drafts of my common app essay so I had some sense of direction before being immersed in the chaos that is the college search. Overall, I’m grateful to have had Mr. Harrington as a teacher, as he was (and continues to be) a steady source of support, encouragement, and writing advice throughout undoubtedly hectic times.
- Ashveen Banga, Class of 2022
Mr. Harrington is the type of teacher who can spark intense introspection. Crafting an entire course surrounding the discovery and analysis of identity, he knows how to get his students to dive deeper into reflection: a difficult yet very important process. For me, it was in the one-on-one brainstorming sessions that my interest in writing grew the most. He is one of those teachers who is willing to have a deep conversation with you about the text just so you are inspired to provide as robust of an analysis as possible. It’s the type of conversation in which you are pushed to think even further and to make even more connections. I can also genuinely say that I have never had any other teacher consistently write such detailed comments about my work. With every essay, he makes sure to take the time to craft meaningful suggestions yet is always eager to point out what works well within a piece of writing. Whether through a reflective piece for a college application or an analytical essay about Catcher in the Rye, I can tell you first hand that Mr. Harrington will not only help you with your writing, but he will also help you grow as a person. As a trustworthy and experienced teacher, I guarantee that you will feel proud of the work you produce if you have Mr. Harrington on your team.
- Alena Callahan, Class of 2022
My name is Alec Sheres, and I am a senior at the Francis Parker School in San Diego. I consider myself very fortunate to have Mr. Harrington as both a teacher and a mentor. He is truly incredible at what he does. I first had him as a teacher in eleventh grade for AP English Language and Composition, and now, as a senior, I currently have him for Literature and the Formation of Identity (a senior English Honors course). Over the past year and a half, Mr. Harrington has consistently helped me develop and improve my writing skills through clear and concise feedback and advice. Part of what makes Mr. Harrington’s approach unique is his ability to provide suggestions in a manner that gets the message across without being disheartening. He does this by being specific in what he thinks could be improved, and providing explanations for why he believes that. Mr. Harrington’s style of teaching has pushed me to become the best writer I can be. He has also been a tremendous help to me in my college essay writing process, providing invaluable commentary, feedback, and support, as well as asking thought-provoking questions to help grease the wheels of reflective writing. I don’t know if it is a product of his tremendous experience, innate talent, or both, but there is nobody better than him at what he does, and no one’s opinion that I value more. With Mr. Harrington’s guidance, I have become a confident and effective writer, adept at analyzing both literary texts and myself. I am happy to expound further on Mr. Harrington’s expertise. Please feel free to reach out.
- Alec Sheres, Class of 2022
Throughout my academic journey, there have been several teachers who have left a lasting impact on me, but none have stood out as much as Mr. Harrington. His unwavering passion for writing and his mastery of the subject worked in tandem to cultivate my skills beyond what I believed possible. With his insightful feedback and guidance, I was able to pinpoint and fix the specific areas in which I needed improvement, while simultaneously honing my existing strengths as a writer. On multiple occasions, I even sought Mr. Harrington’s expertise outside of class hours for further advice on various essays and speeches I undertook.
Even now after completing my third year at Columbia University, I am grateful to Mr. H for his role in shaping my writing and articulation abilities, which I still depend on every day. Whether it’s analytical essays, college application essays, creative writing endeavors, or simply engaging in stimulating discussions on Old Western literature, Mr. H is the man for the job. His teachings have equipped me with the invaluable writing tools that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.
- Hayden Enniss, Class of 2020
My name is Abby Riordan, I am a current senior at Francis Parker Upper School, and I have had the great pleasure of having Mr. Harrington as my English teacher for the past two years. To start off, I know this sounds cliche but Mr. Harrington is one of the best teachers I have ever had the experience of learning from—he has completely transformed me as an engaged student and writer. Before beginning his English 11 class, I was very shy and insecure about my writing capabilities and had been told constantly that writing was not my strong suit. However, the second I logged onto Mr. Harrington’s zoom during the crazy COVID year, he instantly shaped a space where I felt safe and excited to discuss the books we were reading. His English course quickly became the class I looked forward to each day. As my confidence increased Mr. Harrington started encouraging me to challenge myself, noting my ideas and contributions were ready for the next level up, which was the AP English Language and Composition Course. I was taken aback when he first brought this up to me because his faith in me and determination to get me into the next-level English class resulted in me finally feeling sure of myself and marked the beginning of my venture to higher-level courses in high school. I fully believe without Mr. Harrington I wouldn’t be where I am today; I would still be the shy high schooler in the back of the class with so many opinions and discussion points running through my brain but no confidence to raise my hand and speak my voice. Because I switched classes at the end of the first trimester the AP class already had a trimester on me, and Mr. Harrington noted that it would feel a lot more challenging than the class I came from. However, he assured me that he would be there for me every step of the way, and provide help whenever I needed it. He certainly fulfilled his promise by always checking in and helping me out with essay outlines, and theses, and providing useful feedback to the ideas that I presented to him before my writing process began. This ensured that I was always on the right path. Additionally, once the essays were submitted and reviewed he always provided detailed, constructive, and encouraging feedback that motivated me and allowed me to understand specifically where my areas of improvement were.
This year I am in the midst of the craziness of college applications and for several reasons, I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to have Mr. Harrington as my teacher through it all. He has repeatedly reached out and ensured that all of his students know that he is a source that we can go to throughout our writing process for guidance and help with editing. Specifically, one day I told Mr. Harrington that I quoted him in my common application essay, and the reaction of surprise, utter happiness, and excitement to read that essay was one I will never forget. After sharing this essay with Mr. Harrington, he graciously offered to read my other college essays and offered great feedback, encouragement, and editing suggestions to produce successful college essays.
- Abby Riordan, Class of 2022
I remember my brother coming home from school, praising a teacher that went by the peculiar name of “Mr. H.” When senior year rolled around, I was placed in his English and homeroom classes and was thrilled — double the amount of time I get to learn from this Francis Parker School legend! Every rumor from older students and word of praise from siblings was explained after the first day. He is caring, incredibly smart, and uses his experience to genuinely enrich the material. When writing college admission essays, he found ways to shape the ideas I wanted to address into molds colleges like to see. Even after high school graduation, I continued to rely on his generosity when I asked for him to write additional letters of recommendation. His determination to make not only better writers but also better people out of his students is why his lessons last with you far outside his classroom.
- Mitchell Trossen, Class of 2020
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