Testimonials
Creative Writing
“Rich is amazing. I honestly feel like I improved as a writer just because of his teaching style. He continues to challenge me as a writer and if I ever make it in the publishing world it will be because I had him for a professor. He's one of the most passionate and patient teachers I've ever had.”
“Professor Simon guided the class in understanding and achieving the goals of creative writing on every assignment. His personal critiques of the works written demonstrated his total understanding of the work presented and was most helpful in guiding the student. He had a very personal relationshp with each student and made the class challenging and interesting.”
“He's very honest yet encouraging. He is very good at delivering criticism without it being hurtful.”
“ He is very relaxed and easy to feel comfortable around. He pushes students yet makes them feel comfortable.”
“I could always depend on him for a close reading of my work as well as helpful marginal and oral critique.”
“I learned more in our first class (defining the elements of fiction) than I have in entire semesters of classes elsewhere (other academic institutions, of course). Very well done, and it was extremely timely for a personal project I am working on.”
“I think the challenge of writing a fictional analysis helped me to quickly learn to think deeper about the story lines, the hidden meanings within the story, and especially helped me to work hard on organizing my thoughts for each assignment.”
“Rich is OUTSTANDING at leading dynamic classroom discussions. The course was held during a tough time slot (8-10pm), but his superb facilitation of the discussions kept things lively, interesting, and thought provoking. He is great at asking thought-provoking questions that get people engaged; this felt very much like a stimulating seminar class.”
Composition
“Love Simon! I'm a student who wants an easy A, can't lie but this guy helped so much. Required reading, sometimes it got hard. Somehow he made me want to learn. You don’t have to read the whole book but get the gist. He engages and encourages and really teaches you. Pushes you to think. He's hilarious and can be lenient with deadlines. Took him 2 times.”
“I took Prof. Simon for a short story writing class when I was considering going back to school full time. I thought he was so good that I made sure I took him again for my 1A composition class. He was conscientious and helpful, and gave really great feedback on writing assignments. Highly recommended!”
“Take a class with him if you value your education. Excellent Prof. City College is lucky to have him.”
“Class is not easy and you must work hard on your essays. Subjects for papers are complex but interesting. Mr Simon is funny as heck, strict but engaging and smart. I recommend him for the hard-working student !”
“If you want a teacher that will stimulate your mind, then take him. If you want an easy class then look elsewhere.”
“He is an awesome professor. The subjects he choose were engaging and dealing with the present and future of humanity. Everyone in the class seemed to look forward to the class. He doesn't just lecture and ramble allowing others to speak. I learned necessary skills and different styles.I now feel completely comfortable writing any kind of essay.”
“Great English Teacher! I definetly feel ready for English 1A after taking his class. He makes you think outside the box. He's funny and very professional. If you do your work and follow instructions you'll get the grade you deserve. Take his class!”
“Take him! He's so chill and wants everyone to succeed in his class. Yes he's kind of hard but he does prepare you for the essays. He uses a lot of fun ways to make things clear. He's awesome and a great professor I'm definitely taking him again!”
“I definitely learned a lot in his class. I agree with the person below that he does grade hard on the essays, but just work hard and you'll get the grade you deserve. He really wants you to succeed and learn a lot from his class so that you'll be ready for 1A. And after taking his class, I do feel ready.”
“Prof. Simon gave me a lot of anxiety specially due to his hardcore essay topics and strict grading system. However,after taking his class, english 1A and 1B were VERY easy! Best english professor! just work hard and you'll do fine!”
“EXCELLENT PROFESSOR. Not an easy A but if you pay attention, put forth the effort, and follow what he wants, you'll do well. I feel confident about my writing after taking his class.”
“Great Teacher. Passionate and engaging. Important handouts and notes. Fast paced and strict grader but you will gain knowledge. Keep up with reading and understanding of what you read.”
“Great personality, attitude, and everything that comes with it. He's like Jon Stewart meets Hugh Laurie (House). Most engaging, entertaining teacher I had at Dominican. Improved my writing skills by a milestone. If you are willing to work for it, he's willing to give you that A. He's reasonable, so no matter what, you should be able to do well.
“He will motivate you to do your best but also help you when you need it.”
“He is very attentive to student needs and not only engages his students but I also really appreciated learning about current events in this class.”
“He is very responsive to students’ needs. I needed extra time on a paper and we were both able to adapt to my situation so I could complete the assignment. Thank you!”
“Love his teaching style. One of my favorite teachers at Dominican in my first year. Had him last semester, and made sure I got him again for Advanced Writing this semester. Makes writing interesting.”
“I liked learning how to analyze a poem, and have an understanding of the deeper meanings hidden in the words.”
“I walked in with an extreme bias against poetry, but as a result of our in-class discussions, I discovered that I actually love and appreciate the genre. Thank you for changing my mind!”
“He's amusing, makes learning fun.”
“RS is amazing. Engaged, enlightened and fun to be around! He is a fantastic teacher.”
“I liked how this course was challenging. Through out my high school career and my college career up to this point I do not believe that I have been challenged as much as I have in this course. Being a science major I am not required to do that much writing, so this course has helped me. Never had I felt so accomplished when I received a 92% on a paper (previously being a 4.0 student I realize that I may no longer be one). But this does not matter to me. Because of the hard work that I have had to put into this course, even if I receive a B, I know that this course has helped me become a better writer and to develop better writing skills.”
“Although Professor Simon is tough teacher, he is amazing at what he does. Many times people go into a course expecting to easily get an A. Professor Simon does not do this. You have to work hard for that grade, develop skills to help improve your writing and to actual care what you are writing about. As explained to the class on the first day, this is called Advanced Writing and Research, ergo there is a lot of writing and a lot of research. If there was not, this class would not fulfill what it is said to be.”
“Professor Simon was an excellent teacher! He pushes you to think outside the box. We did a lot of writing in his class and it was hard work, took many long hours to complete his essay assignments but I feel I learned a lot in his class, even when I'm not an English major, his class was very helpful. He's smart, complicated, and he knows the material well!”
Creative Writing
“Rich is amazing. I honestly feel like I improved as a writer just because of his teaching style. He continues to challenge me as a writer and if I ever make it in the publishing world it will be because I had him for a professor. He's one of the most passionate and patient teachers I've ever had.”
“Professor Simon guided the class in understanding and achieving the goals of creative writing on every assignment. His personal critiques of the works written demonstrated his total understanding of the work presented and was most helpful in guiding the student. He had a very personal relationshp with each student and made the class challenging and interesting.”
“He's very honest yet encouraging. He is very good at delivering criticism without it being hurtful.”
“ He is very relaxed and easy to feel comfortable around. He pushes students yet makes them feel comfortable.”
“I could always depend on him for a close reading of my work as well as helpful marginal and oral critique.”
“I learned more in our first class (defining the elements of fiction) than I have in entire semesters of classes elsewhere (other academic institutions, of course). Very well done, and it was extremely timely for a personal project I am working on.”
“I think the challenge of writing a fictional analysis helped me to quickly learn to think deeper about the story lines, the hidden meanings within the story, and especially helped me to work hard on organizing my thoughts for each assignment.”
“Rich is OUTSTANDING at leading dynamic classroom discussions. The course was held during a tough time slot (8-10pm), but his superb facilitation of the discussions kept things lively, interesting, and thought provoking. He is great at asking thought-provoking questions that get people engaged; this felt very much like a stimulating seminar class.”
Composition
“Love Simon! I'm a student who wants an easy A, can't lie but this guy helped so much. Required reading, sometimes it got hard. Somehow he made me want to learn. You don’t have to read the whole book but get the gist. He engages and encourages and really teaches you. Pushes you to think. He's hilarious and can be lenient with deadlines. Took him 2 times.”
“I took Prof. Simon for a short story writing class when I was considering going back to school full time. I thought he was so good that I made sure I took him again for my 1A composition class. He was conscientious and helpful, and gave really great feedback on writing assignments. Highly recommended!”
“Take a class with him if you value your education. Excellent Prof. City College is lucky to have him.”
“Class is not easy and you must work hard on your essays. Subjects for papers are complex but interesting. Mr Simon is funny as heck, strict but engaging and smart. I recommend him for the hard-working student !”
“If you want a teacher that will stimulate your mind, then take him. If you want an easy class then look elsewhere.”
“He is an awesome professor. The subjects he choose were engaging and dealing with the present and future of humanity. Everyone in the class seemed to look forward to the class. He doesn't just lecture and ramble allowing others to speak. I learned necessary skills and different styles.I now feel completely comfortable writing any kind of essay.”
“Great English Teacher! I definetly feel ready for English 1A after taking his class. He makes you think outside the box. He's funny and very professional. If you do your work and follow instructions you'll get the grade you deserve. Take his class!”
“Take him! He's so chill and wants everyone to succeed in his class. Yes he's kind of hard but he does prepare you for the essays. He uses a lot of fun ways to make things clear. He's awesome and a great professor I'm definitely taking him again!”
“I definitely learned a lot in his class. I agree with the person below that he does grade hard on the essays, but just work hard and you'll get the grade you deserve. He really wants you to succeed and learn a lot from his class so that you'll be ready for 1A. And after taking his class, I do feel ready.”
“Prof. Simon gave me a lot of anxiety specially due to his hardcore essay topics and strict grading system. However,after taking his class, english 1A and 1B were VERY easy! Best english professor! just work hard and you'll do fine!”
“EXCELLENT PROFESSOR. Not an easy A but if you pay attention, put forth the effort, and follow what he wants, you'll do well. I feel confident about my writing after taking his class.”
“Great Teacher. Passionate and engaging. Important handouts and notes. Fast paced and strict grader but you will gain knowledge. Keep up with reading and understanding of what you read.”
“Great personality, attitude, and everything that comes with it. He's like Jon Stewart meets Hugh Laurie (House). Most engaging, entertaining teacher I had at Dominican. Improved my writing skills by a milestone. If you are willing to work for it, he's willing to give you that A. He's reasonable, so no matter what, you should be able to do well.
“He will motivate you to do your best but also help you when you need it.”
“He is very attentive to student needs and not only engages his students but I also really appreciated learning about current events in this class.”
“He is very responsive to students’ needs. I needed extra time on a paper and we were both able to adapt to my situation so I could complete the assignment. Thank you!”
“Love his teaching style. One of my favorite teachers at Dominican in my first year. Had him last semester, and made sure I got him again for Advanced Writing this semester. Makes writing interesting.”
“I liked learning how to analyze a poem, and have an understanding of the deeper meanings hidden in the words.”
“I walked in with an extreme bias against poetry, but as a result of our in-class discussions, I discovered that I actually love and appreciate the genre. Thank you for changing my mind!”
“He's amusing, makes learning fun.”
“RS is amazing. Engaged, enlightened and fun to be around! He is a fantastic teacher.”
“I liked how this course was challenging. Through out my high school career and my college career up to this point I do not believe that I have been challenged as much as I have in this course. Being a science major I am not required to do that much writing, so this course has helped me. Never had I felt so accomplished when I received a 92% on a paper (previously being a 4.0 student I realize that I may no longer be one). But this does not matter to me. Because of the hard work that I have had to put into this course, even if I receive a B, I know that this course has helped me become a better writer and to develop better writing skills.”
“Although Professor Simon is tough teacher, he is amazing at what he does. Many times people go into a course expecting to easily get an A. Professor Simon does not do this. You have to work hard for that grade, develop skills to help improve your writing and to actual care what you are writing about. As explained to the class on the first day, this is called Advanced Writing and Research, ergo there is a lot of writing and a lot of research. If there was not, this class would not fulfill what it is said to be.”
“Professor Simon was an excellent teacher! He pushes you to think outside the box. We did a lot of writing in his class and it was hard work, took many long hours to complete his essay assignments but I feel I learned a lot in his class, even when I'm not an English major, his class was very helpful. He's smart, complicated, and he knows the material well!”