By Mr. Harnick
It is my honor and pleasure to pass the torch to Mrs. Kantz. I have to state that I have known Mrs. Kantz for about 45 years and can say that the way she teaches is a reflection of who she is as a person. Mrs. Kantz has taught here at East for over 20 years and she continues to question and improve her educational practice while infusing her classes with energy and joy.
Mrs. Kantz is one of the handful of teachers in this school that teaches two different AP classes, although over the years she has taught most of the classes in Social Studies, but always keeps the focus on the people sitting in the room and not only the delivery of content. She realizes that she teaches students and not subjects. By observing her classes one can see that she demonstrates that it is possible to have an environment that is both rigorous and student-centered. She always plans lessons and creates a classroom that focuses on the needs of all learners and understands that, like all people, students are works in progress.
I could go on and list all of the clubs that she has advised over the years, the student teachers that she has mentored, and all of the people in the Social Studies department to whom she has given her time and experience, but I want to keep this somewhat brief. In truth, Mrs. Kantz has done a great deal to improve upon the culture of East and is long overdue for this recognition.
