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Harms Way Never Looked So Good
By Nicole Garzaniti, Editorial Editor
The tides come in,
the tides go out.
Meanwhile, life’s mad circlegoes round about.
Sorry is he who does not what he can,
for the tides of life wait for no man
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Mr. Paul Harms is a teacher who has not only mastered music, but has overcome incredible odds to live his dream. As a child, he was somewhat challenged by slight learning disabilities.
He did, however, learn to compensate. Growing up, he worked twice as long as other students in order to engrave information into his memory by repetition. Because of this, Mr. Harms has a special understanding of his students and is always spicing things up, even if it means things getting a little goofy sometimes.
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"I keep my students’ noses to the grindstone most of the time, but every once in a while, I will come up with something off the wall, a silly comment to liven up things."
Mr. Harms teaches festival choir, which consists of the mixed, concert, and chamber choirs. If this weren’t enough, he is also a performing opera singer. |
"If I weren’t a teacher, I would be a full time opera singer because of the passion I have to perform."
Mr. Harms is an eight-year veteran of Chaffey’s staff, but has been teaching for far longer, twenty-one years to be exact. Even with retirement a possibility in the near future, he doesn’t think it’s a road he will travel anytime soon.
"Retire? No, I’ll keep working hard at what I do because I really enjoy teaching."
Learning to read notes, proper pronunciation, pitch, and tempo are just some of the things accomplished in Mr. Harms’ class every day.
"I don’t think my class is difficult; it’s an adventure in discovery of finding oneself as well as appreciating music."
When he wants to relax, Mr. Harms will listen to a wide range of music, from Beethoven to John Denver.
"My moods change from day to day, but because I sing opera, I do tend to listen to more opera than any other type of music."
During stressful days at work, Mr. Harms says laughter is the best medicine.
"You have to sit back and laugh at yourself and others every once in a while."
A teacher at the height of technology, Mr. Harms not only owns his own computer, but also has a web sight at http://www.windsong.com.
Mr. Harms is definitely a family man. He has been married over half of his life, for a total of 34 years and counting. He has five children and a newborn grandson.
Often leaving after dark in his new Chevy pickup, Mr. Harms is a delightful, fun-loving, and truly passionate aspect of Chaffey’s energetic and knowledgeable teaching staff. |
