About Mr. Harber

So let me tell you a little about me!

My Journey

I grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but have lived in Las Vegas for over 35 years now. I’m married to a wonderful, way-too-tolerant woman who is a school nurse. We have a grown daughter that graduated from college back in 2019 and has already established herself with a fantastic job. It’s a good thing she takes more after her mom, but I’m still super proud.

Teaching is actually my 4th career. During college the first time, I spent a few years as a professional musician. I was/am a bass player. Did the usual and expected rock-n-roll band thing but I also worked in the pit orchestra of a dinner theater, did session work for a Philadelphia recording studio and played in a big band. Music eventually brought me to Las Vegas in 1986.

Continued…

Career #2 was a casino dealer. I worked at various properties on and off for a ten year period. It’s a fun job for a young person but I knew it wasn’t a long term solution. During this time I went back to school at UNLV pursuing my degree in computer science. It was here I discovered the Internet. This is the mid-90’s, Google had not yet been invented!

Seeing an opportunity, after graduating I began an online business developing websites and was a full time Internet marketer for the next 20+ years, eventually selling the business in 2014. This leads me up to career #4, public school teacher. However, looking back, my first year in the school district wasn’t really my rookie season.

I actually taught my first class way back in 1988. I was a part time instructor in a casino dealing trade school. I taught others to deal craps, a casino game played with dice. Years later I found myself as an instructor for eBay University and discovered I really enjoyed teaching one-on-one. I had also done some one-on-one tutoring throughout the years.

The Finale!

You might say that teaching is in my blood. My father was a university professor, both my grandmothers were teachers. I have several cousins and an aunt that also teach. I have discovered how much I truly love the “a-ha!” moment when someone gets it. As a teacher, it’s the greatest feeling in the world knowing you had a part in the lightbulb illuminating!

I have a few more years before retirement. Until then I have pledged to give my all to make every child feel included, to help them understand that mistakes are glorious because that’s where learning takes place and lastly for them to realize that learning is a life-long process to be appreciated and valued.

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What They’re Saying

In today’s world of rising expectations in mathematical knowledge in the elementary years, it is more important than ever that students in the younger elementary years are exposed to activities that promote number sense. Gritisms cover this need with a wide variety of activity mats and standard playing cards that can easily be made into math centers. Best of all, each of these Gritism activity mats are aligned with the grade-appropriate math standards.

Bryan Moore, Elementary School Teacher

My kids adored Mr. Harber because he interacted with them and other students on such a friendly level. I could always tell his love for teaching with how well the students responded. When he was on duty students always surrounded him. He seems to be very popular on campus.

Connie Brough, Parent

Mr. Harber is an exceptional teacher. He has worked with students from gifted learners to students with special needs and is able to differentiate instruction to have the students achieve their academic goals. The lessons and materials that he creates are engaging, accessible, and effective for all students. I highly recommend them!

Tracy Beattie, Special Education Instructional Facilitator

Innovative and insightful… Mr. Harber has a unique understanding of how young minds comprehend mathematical concepts… his deck of gritisms is engaging and encompasses all aspects of developing math sense.

Kevin Berkshire, Special Education Instructional Facilitator