Here's what students are saying about Mr. Z!
Please note that student responses are submitted anonymously and are not accessible to Mr. Zacharia until after final grades are logged.

2007

"Throughout the year, I have learned to write so well because you have taught me to make inferences about what I am reading and, more importantly, find evidence for those inferences. Those two words will help me throughout all my writing."

"You are very funny and I liked the course. Sometimes it can be a lot of work, but nothing we can't do."

"Your class is challenging but fun. I like (now that I realize it) that you always cared about what we thought and not just what we knew, and that you always pushed us to never say to ourselves, 'I can't do it.'"

"His teaching style is unique. He cares about us and our needs."

"This class was a great learning experience for me. It helped me learn how to manage my time and keep up with a lot of work. He always cares about how we do on tests and exams. He is a great teacher."

"You found a way to make learning fun and effective at the same time."

"There was a large workload, but you were able to help me keep up with it because of good teaching. This class prepared me well for 11th grade.

"The peer reviews were really helpful when I wrote my essays. Also, the time length was usually appropriate for writing our essays and if the time was too short, you sometimes extended it."

"This class (Journalism) made me very expressive on how I think of news. You changed my views on Journalism for the better. This class is great."

2006

"Your class was challenging in many aspects, but fun. Thanks for caring about my progress."

"You were my most effective and most favorite teacher that I have ever had. You made me more analytical; thank you. I hope I have you next year."

"This teacher is skilled when it comes to making a point. He gives a lot of reading, asks for us to take 'active notes' and to 'read between the lines.' But he is a fair teacher; he genuinely cares about each and every one of his students."

"Mr. Zacharia really challenges his students and never asks anything that is impossible ... I've learned that it truly does benefit you in the end to give 100% with his class and not slack off."

"He provides the ultimate learning environment for all classmates! There is an acceptable amount of humor, which keeps us on task and attentive. Genuinely cared about my individual success throughout the year. I used to dislike English class, but I now enjoy the essay writing involved. Gave perfect feedback for all of my pieces."

"Mr. Zacharia makes one want to learn. He is upfront and realistic and is a teacher whose methods should be emulated by all educators."

"You were and will be the best teacher I have ever had! You don't just teach us, you converse with us; very few teachers do that. That's what makes you an awesome teacher!"

"Mr. Zacharia is an extraordinary teacher. He seems to have mastered the ability of teaching in a funny way. He is without a doubt my favorite teacher this year."

"Mr. Z, I can truly say that you are my best teacher. If you look at all that you taught me--from the rude boy who entered your room to the semi-mature man who left--from the first marking period when I was failing to now, when I am getting a B. You taught me not only English lessons but life lessons. I can't thank you enough for the gift you gave me--the gift of not only knowledge, but how to use that knowledge. I can't thank you enough, but I can try--you were more father than teacher; we were all your children and you taught us to be men."

"Mr. Zacharia, you were an awesome teacher this year! Since day one my grades have greatly improved and I have been driven to challenge myself throughout the year. Any freshmen who have you next year are lucky!"

2005

"Mr. Zacharia is one of my favorite English teachers that I have ever had and I appreciate the fact that he is caring and that he is consistent. He obviously cares if we learn something so he dedicates his time to making sure we leave his class a better person than when we came in."

"Mr. Zacharia is a great teacher. I love the way he pushes to have everyone succeed."

"Mr. Zacharia encourages his students to think and to express their own thoughts. He demonstrates everything to the point where everyone understands it and if they ask questions, he takes the time to answer them."

"I think Mr. Z is an overall excellent English teacher. He wanted to see everybody succeed. He did exceptionally well in challenging me and others to think critically. I liked his teaching methods; they were helpful and insured I learned the lesson."

"I would like to congratulate you more than anything. Now you can go somewhere where people appreciate you more. I'm so happy and proud of what I accomplished in your class this year. I don't think they have any idea what a difference in teaching you've made. Not only are you a good teacher but also a friend. You lighten a gloomy room. Your teaching actually makes a difference to us; you teach us things that don't only matter to you but to us as well. I respect everything you do because of that. You deserve way more recognition. With all the appreciation, N.T.
p.s. My mom really wants to thank you for helping me.

2004

"You're a great teacher, and I mean that."

"Mr. Z finds new ways to help the class learn."

"I enjoyed being in your class and can truly say I learned a lot. You are, by far, the best teacher I have come across."

"This course was a great course. It showed me how to keep writing even when I wanted to stop, and made me feel proud."

"You're challenging, but it's good that you pushed me to do better and not just settle."

"Mr. Zacharia is very good at what he does and seems to enjoy it. He's surely one of the best."

"Mr. Zacharia is a great teacher. He teaches well and makes sure that we understand. Although his class may be hard sometimes, he explains everything thoroughly. I have learned a lot in his class, especially how to write a better essay!"

"He challenges at a very high level and he tries to make us participate in class at every chance. He makes himself available after school for whoever may need extra help."

"Overall a very challenging teacher, but a good one."

"Dear Mr. Z, I've learned many lessons from you and have enjoyed every moment of our time together. Though there have seemed times where we've disagreed and not seen eye to eye, you remained a great student as well as teacher and friend. Keep on doing your thing as a teacher and God bless you."