Teacher of the Year is awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional character towards his or her job. They don’t just stop at the minimum; they go above and beyond, and that’s why they are named Teacher of the Year. This year’s winner is no exception.

Weightlifting and Life Management teacher Kerry Harbor was announced as Reagan’s Teacher of the Year on Dec. 15. He is Reagan’s thirteenth honoree.

“I think it is a great honor,”  Harbor said. “This is a great school, it has great students and great staff.”

Harbor went to Carver High School in Winston-Salem. He knew then that he wanted to be a coach and a teacher, and that’s what he went to college to pursue. Harbor felt like his teachers helped him the most in high school, and that’s why he wanted to teach and coach.

“He’s one of the most unselfish and caring people you’ll meet,” said Physical Education chairperson Robert Berlinger. “He would do anything to help someone.”

Being named Teacher of the Year means more than just being able to teach well. It’s the attitude the teacher has towards what he or she does. People tend not to listen to others who don’t seem invested in their job.

“Every day I try to come to work with a positive attitude and look at what the student can and can’t do,” Harbor said.

Many teachers agree that he is an exceptional teacher.

“He’s a phenomenal teacher and a great motivator,” Berlinger said.

Harbor has contributed to many things that go on at Reagan.

Harbor is working with the other coaches to raise money to either expand the weight room or build a new one.

“I think that expanding the weight room is a good idea,” junior Chase Fontaine said. “They’re working to achieve a goal, which Harbor is all about.”

When students think of a good teacher, they think of someone who encourages them to do their best, and Harbor does just that.  Harbor is seen as a great person by students and teachers. He works hard and does his best to encourage others to live up to their fullest potential.

He works with non-athletes and student athletes in the weight room to make them stronger in the sport they do or just in general. He knows how to push people past their excuses that hold them back.

“He does a great job at getting us to work harder and get stronger,” Fontaine said.

In weight training, he teaches his students about lifetime wellness. Harbor wants them to learn how to be fit and stay fit for the rest of their lives.

“He has high expectations for his students, and they work hard to achieve those expectations,” Berlinger said.

In life management skills, Harbor works towards helping his students be better people. He talks about character development and what you need in order to maintain good character.

“I want to teach them to be a better person in as many ways as I can,” Harbor said.

Coach Harbor does his best to keep his students and athletes from slacking off and not living up to their fullest potential.

“He always tells us not to let him hold us from greatness,” said sophomore football player Josh Green. “Basically, if you wanted more weight on the bar, he didn’t want to hold you back.”

Harbor has been working towards building the strength of Reagan’s football team. His motivation towards the team shows on and off the field and in the weight room. He motivates them to work harder and do their best no matter what.

“Coach Harbor does a great job motivating his students and athletes with his words and actions,” said weightlifting and life management teacher and track and football coach Richard Burton .