With Books and Bears, the Giving Lasts Forever at Canton Prep

The support Elizabeth Harsany has received doesn’t just benefit her English classroom at Canton Preparatory High School. It has allowed her to try new things and implement programs that impact the entire school for years.

When the school was without a library, Harsany took it upon herself to start collecting books for students to read. The walls of her classroom soon were lined with books, making it the de facto school library.



And when a Canton student was mourning a relative’s death, the warmth and compassion Harsany displayed by offering support in the form of a teddy bear turned into a schoolwide effort. Now called the Teddy Bear Project, it provides students with a comforting stuffed animal if they’re in need of a pick-me-up, whether they just transferred to the school, might have experience a hard time, or on certain days of celebration.

The backing she has received and returns to others is a big reason why she has been at Canton Prep for nearly 10 years.



“I got nothing but support with those projects and whatever you need to keep it going for our students and for their families,” she said. “I love the people, the staff and the students and the families, and I love how much support I have.”

Harsany’s generosity stems from the English teachers she had in high school. She now tries to emulate their enthusiasm, energy, and structure while setting high expectations for students, even the ones who might be apathetic about the subject.



“If you have those for your kids, they will rise to meet them as long as you’re consistent,” she said.
It all starts with structure. Every moment is packed in Harsany’s classroom, so she makes sure they come fully prepared.

“Every minute matters,” she said. “I think that’s been a big reason, particularly this year, things ran smoothly for the most part because from start to finish, we’re moving. You don’t have that downtime where behaviors a lot of times escalate then you’re reminding the students about our expectations.”



Keep up the excellent work, Ms. Harsany!
About Canton Preparatory High School
Canton Preparatory High School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Canton, Michigan, serving students in ninth through 12th grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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