Robert Edgar Nelson Harder Honored by Cambridge Who's Who
Robert Edgar Nelson Harder taught Geometry, Algebra and Applied Mathematics for 33 years

ANNAPOLIS, MD, June 07, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Robert Edgar Nelson Harder, a retired teacher with the District of Columbia Public Schools, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in mathematics education.

Robert Edgar Nelson Harder attributes the success he achieved as a teacher to the support he received from his parents, particularly his father, Keith C. Harder Sr. who encouraged him to follow in his footsteps. In 1961, Robert married Peggy and they both became teachers - Peggy was an Elementary School Music teacher in Prince Georges' County , Md., for 25 years before retiring.

Over the years, Mr. Harder lent his talents to Theodore Roosevelt High School in Washington, D.C. where he continued a Bible Club that had been established by Social Studies teacher Mr. John Scott two years before he left Roosevelt to find work elsewhere. The club met once a week to read the King James version of the Bible. Later, as the club developed, some of the club members eventually became ministers. When asked to recall another highlight of his teacher career, Mr. Harder fondly told Cambridge Who's Who about a chance meeting in 1994 with a student he taught in the 1960s. "We met in an Anne Arundel Hospital room and she told me that she became an elementary school teacher in D.C. because she was inspired by me." Another highlight was receiving a $10,000 GTE Grant in 1986 to partner with a Biology teacher, Ms. Joan Maye, to study hydroponically grown beans in a biology classroom. Mr. Harder taught the statistics needed to explain the growth of the beans.

Since arriving to the District of Columbia Public Schools in 1962, Mr. Harder has served in various capacities as Faculty Blood Donor Drive Chairman, Amenities Committee Chairman, and Mathematics Department Chair of a ten member department. Mr. Harder also led the Roosevelt Philosophy Committee when The Middle States Association Evaluation Committee visited for their 10-year cycle of review of secondary school education in their region of the USA. This peer-based membership association is dedicated to promoting standards of excellence and improvement in secondary education. Over a period of three days, the Committee determined that the school was meeting expectations in most areas, and exceeding expectations in the number of staff with perfect attendance and use of resources available, while recommending more attention be given to student attendance and follow-up. Their evaluation in 1992 stated that "Theodore Roosevelt High School was meeting their goals and a passing grade was well received by faculty, staff, and students."

Mr. Harder received his Master of Education in 1966 and his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1961 from the University of Maryland. In 1958, he received his Associate of Arts from Graceland University. These days, Bob and Peg live in an adult community called Heritage Harbour (population approximately 3,500). In 1995 Bob and Peg established the Heritage Harbour Chorus, which has grown to be a fixture in Heritage Harbour life. Now 15 years old, the 501-C-3 organization has an annual budget of $20,000 and 60+ members. Each member pays $75 a semester to attend a two-hour practice on Mondays and perform twice yearly in December and May at the Lodge

Auditorium led by talented Director James R. Fitzpatrick and Accompanist Erik Apland. Other performance venues include the many nursing homes, senior centers and continuing care facilities in the Annapolis area. Bob and Peg also participate in Heritage Harbour's Drama programs, play tennis, and join a winter duckpin bowling league in Severna Park. Mr. Harder holds the priesthood office of Elder in the Community of Christ/Washington, D.C. congregation where they participate in the scheduled services on a regular basis.

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Ellen Campbell
Cambridge Who's Who
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