Penn Manor High School teacher wins award

It was kismet.

Penn Manor High School language arts teacher Courtney Harting was instructing her first-block class on March 11 when a group of visitors entered her classroom.

"We were in the middle of an analysis of Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Romeo and Juliet' and during a deep text analysis of Romeo's characterization," Harting said. "In walked our team of administrators - Mr. (Thomas) Bechtel, Mrs. (Jenna) Fisher, Mr. (Chris) Telesco - and a few of my former students. Then the representatives from Citadel came in."

In the second line of Act 5, Scene 1, Romeo says, "My dreams presage some joyful news at hand."

Joyful news was, in fact, at hand.

The guests had come to Harting's room to inform her she had won a Citadel Heart of Learning Award, which is sponsored by Citadel Credit Union. Harting is one of three teachers from Lancaster County to earn the honor, which recognizes exceptional teachers who inspire their students and make a significant impact on their communities.

Until she was presented with the award, Harting had no idea she had even been nominated. "It was humbling, I guess, but also took me by complete surprise," said Harting. "It was a moment of shock and excitement. I think the coolest part of it was watching my students' faces when they were watching me receive the award. They were proud, which was really cool."

She unassumingly downplayed her accomplishment. "Part of my feelings in receiving the award is I am just here doing my job as I'm supposed to be doing," said Harting, who also helps coordinate Link Crew, a mentorship program that connects upperclassmen with incoming freshmen. "There are a lot of other educators in our district, especially, who I think deserve just as much if not more. I don't know that I do anything particularly unique."

Cajoled into offering a summarization of what makes her successful, Harting said, "I care very deeply about each and every minute of what goes on in my classroom. I lesson plan tirelessly. Building relationships with my students is my No. 1 priority. That takes precedence over everything. ... I think that drives my practice and allows me to (motivate) students and allows them to be receptive of it."

Harting credits school officials with fostering an environment that allows teachers to excel. "Our administrative team really trusts its teachers and believes in us," she said. "They definitely provide opportunity for us to be the experts of the instruction. They trust that we have our students' best interests at heart at all times. That's huge in developing that culture where teachers feel free to take risks academically and sustain a sense of passion for teaching."

Harting was nominated for the Citadel award by colleague Pamela Lindstrom. "Courtney's extraordinary love for her students has guided her to create a nurturing and supportive atmosphere, where students are genuinely seen and cared for as learners and as people," Lindstrom wrote in her nomination. "Courtney takes the time to listen to her students' concerns, celebrate their successes, and guide them through the challenges they face. Her tenacious love for her students creates bonds that extend far beyond the classroom walls."

Harting received $1,000 for her classroom and a glass Citadel Heart of Learning paperweight.

"I want to make sure I use (the money) to replenish my classroom, so that all my students have accessibility to learning, whether that be a pencil or purchasing a few extra laptop chargers, those little things," Harting noted.

Although not a graduate of Penn Manor High School, Harting has always been a Comet at heart. She attended Penn Manor schools from kindergarten until halfway through her senior year before graduating from Wilson High School in West Lawn.

The morning Harting was presented with the award was not the first time destiny intervened. Now in her 12th year as a teacher, Harting spent the first five years of her career in Florida. Parting from Pennsylvania was such sweet sorrow. Homesick, she began researching job openings in the area. There was one school district in a 100-mile radius of Lancaster County that needed a high school English teacher: Penn Manor.

"I felt like the stars were aligning," she said. "I thought, 'Let's make it happen. Let's go home.'"