Harry and Rosemary Wong

Meet Harry and Rosemary Wong - the most sought after speakers on classroom management in education. Their sensible, no-nonsense tips for classroom procedures are what today's teachers need!

I first heard of Harry and Rosemary Wong quite some time ago, back in 1993 when I was graduating with my Bachelor's degree in Education.

Harry was giving a talk at a local school near me on the topic of classroom management. It seemed like a good idea to go and hear him as I had just finished my student teaching and was in the process of looking for a job. Although I had a successful experience, I knew that my management skills needed a bit of polishing.

harry and rosemary wong


That was an eye-opening day for me. I immediately bought their book, The First Days of School, and read it from cover to cover.

This quickly became one of my most valued classroom management resources and is one of just a handful of professional books that I have kept over the past 20 years.

As of today, it has sold over 3.6 million copies, the highest of any educational book - ever.


I first met up with the Wongs back in 2010 when Primary Education Oasis was really just beginning. I contacted Harry to see if he would mind reviewing a page I had written on classroom procedures and routines.

Was I ever surprised when Harry Wong responded back! The comments and critiques he gave were warm, honest and positive. This led to me being invited to listen to both of them speak in Columbus, Ohio a few months later and have lunch with them afterwards.

They are real, open-hearted and kind - exactly what one should expect from a leader in teacher quality training.


About Harry and Rosemary Wong

Harry Wong, Ed.D.

Dr. Wong, or "Mr. Practicality" as he is known, is a former high school science teacher. During his time spent teaching in the classroom he developed no-cost classroom management resources that inspired tough students to achieve, kept them in school and allowed his classroom to run like a well-oiled machine.

Harry left teaching to become an advocate for teachers. Besides being in the top 20 Most Admired Educators Around the World (Instructor Magazine 2006) he has helped millions of teachers raise the bar towards excellence. Some of his other achievements are:

  • 30 publications in educational journals
  • a digital course on classroom management that schools everywhere are using as professional development
  • a series designed especially for new teachers to get them started correctly
  • speaks around the world (booked at least 2 years in advance)
  • the recipient of many awards and honors in education (i.e. Horace Mann Outstanding Educator Award and the Upton Sinclair Award)


Rosemary Wong, Ed.D.

Rosemary is the love of Harry's life as well as his partner in bringing their mission of teacher effectiveness to millions of people. She is a true Southern belle who is also the CEO for Harry K. Wong Publications while continuing to develop various philanthropic pursuits.

Dr. Wong was also a classroom teacher, both in elementary and middle school. She knows exactly what it's like in the classroom today - and offers real solutions that any teacher can implement.

Rosemary's many achievements include:

  • over 90 articles to Teachers.net
  • conference presenter in numerous countries around the world
  • numerous awards, including the Upton Sinclair Award for outstanding writing and the Silicon Valley Distinguished Woman's Award for her business skills
  • President of The First Days of School Foundation, a charity started by Harry and Rosemary Wong in 2008. Their charity recently build a school in the jungles of Cambodia which gives over 300 children the opportunity to have an education
  • Recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Education at Louisiana State University and Southeastern Louisiana University
  • sits on the Board and volunteers for both Meals on Wheels of San Francisco and Self-Help for the Elderly


Harry and Rosemary Wong come to Primary Education Oasis


In May of 2011 Harry and Rosemary asked me to write a short article for their column on Teachers.net about how my mother influenced my life.


Little did they know that I was still broken-hearted from the sudden death of my mother back in 2007. I still had not recovered from it.


I wrote an article from the heart for them, about the lessons I learned from watching my mother with my own children and what I heard about my grandparents as educators.

It was actually a very cathartic experience for me. I felt like I was finally getting to share how much my mother meant to me, partially fill the hole that was left in my heart when she died, and be able to honor her memory.

To show my deep gratitude, I offered the Wongs a place on Primary Education Oasis to share their message of hope and the importance of teacher effectiveness. 

Even in their busy schedule, they have found time to write about their experiences and to share relevant, timely information with over 60,000 visitors that visit Primary Education Oasis each month.

As their schedule permits, they will be posting new articles exclusively for teachers who visit Primary Education Oasis. It is our pleasure to welcome them here.


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