January 1, 2018 OneWord: Jump #KidsDeserveIt

         Earlier this Fall my mother sent me a one word text message. She didn’t give me an explanation or the definition. For weeks, I was perplexed how it related to my life all the while it stayed glued in the back of my mind, until today. In 2018 my #OneWord is

Dictionary.com defines jump as, “to spring clear of the ground, leap, to rise suddenly or quickly.” Great, but I don’t think that’s the type of jump definition my mother was thinking of. Steve Harvey, the famous talk-show-host defines jump a little differently. He says jumping consists of the gifts you have: how to network, how to cut hair, how to bake, how to cook, and so forth. Then go out and live the gift. “The only way for you to soar is you have to jump. You have to take the gift you have on your back and you have to jump off the cliff and pull that cord.”

2017 was a tough year: the death of my grandfather, changing jobs, moving 24 hours away from all my family, loss of friendships, etc. But it was also full of celebrations: personal running records shattered, my sister getting married, a new school full of exuberant teachers.  

This year this I will have to let go of my past to take the next step toward jumping. I’ll have to go outside my comfort zone and make decisions that I won’t trust at first. It’s going to be very uncomfortable and uneasy at times. The probability of failing is high. The critics will say, “I told you so.” The pain of failure will be unbearable and embarrassing. People fear jumping. The positives far outweigh the negatives.  It sounds so miserable right?

The possibility of jumping is too great to waste. To soar we must jump! We can’t just stare and watch the clouds pass us by. That’s living life with regrets and not telling our story. We all have so many talents that we’re given or that we’ve crafted over the years. So whatever talents you have use them to jump to new heights and different horizons. If you don’t like where your life is headed don’t be afraid to jump (to a different path.) We only have a limited amount time so don’t waste a moment of it. There is no going back to yesterday. To jump we must get up when we feel defeated and start over. Your desire and faith have to be greater than your doubt. If you want to make your dreams, goals, desires a reality you must jump! Step off the cliff. Ready yourself for what happens next, you won’t regret it. This year I'm going to jump, will you? Don't waste another second, jump!                                                                                                                                                                                                            - Mr. P 

December 29: Can't Stop Running #KidsDeserveIt

Some days you have it and some days you don’t. Today was one of those days that I had it. Maybe it was the conversation I had with a colleague this morning. Maybe it was it was the weather. Or maybe it my desire. Whatever it was, I channeled it from the very beginning of my run.

Run #8 stats: 10 miles, 1:02.51, 6:17 pace

I scheduled 10 miles on my agenda today. For some reason my legs misunderstood that 10 miles is no short distance because immediately I took off running faster than normal. I tried to go a bit slower that first mile, but my legs refused…so I went with it. Mentally I knew running at a faster pace and adding extra mileage I wasn’t accustomed to was not going to end well. I kept running faster anyway. Mile after mile my legs chugged along. My form was stronger and swifter than it had been in months. I was feeling confident. Mile 7, my usual stopping point came around and went like all the other previous miles. Miles 8, 9, and 10 were just like the rest: too easy.

Days like these happen in teaching. For some reason you have an extra boost and pep in your step. Sometimes this energy last as long as my run did, and sometimes it dies out faster than ever. Whenever you do have these days take advantage of them. Enjoy them and use the energy in ways you might not use it again. Days like today don’t  come around often…and not nearly enough. 

- Mr. P

December 28: Dinosaur World #KidsDeserveIt

           Do you ever have those days where you’ve accomplished all that you can by noon? Today was one of those days where I did everything I needed to and I was just chomping at the bit to do something daring. Then I received a text message that transformed my day into another world!

            Half an hour later my students’ family and I were on our way in our Humvee. The trip lasted 30 minutes before our Humvee quickly started sinking in the quick sand we had driven through. We had to no choice to break a window and begin our journey on foot. The Humvee vanished as we were greeted by a wall of trees as tall as the sky. We didn’t know where we were so we kept walking. The forest playground was perfect and shady for 2 (young) paleontologists and 2 (adult) archeologists today.

Suddenly the flock of Pterosaurs went in the opposite direction. Something wasn’t right. Before we knew it a Tyrannosaurus Rex as was coming right for us. We ran as fast as we found in the opposite direction, but knew we were no match for the humongous creature with tiny arms. We braced for our final moment when out of no where a team of Triceratops bulldozed the T-Rex to the ground giving us our perfect opportunity to escape in the shadows. Our archeologists stood in amazement at the sight they just witnessed.  They used to words “cool” and “gruesome” to describe the carnivore’s actions.

            As we walked to a nearby river to replenish our hydration a man named Phil appeared swinging in the trees. He seemed knowledgeable because of his age and white hair so we took him as our own kind. He shared numerous facts of the creatures that lay hidden in the forest we were deep inside of. As our knowledge grew so did our hunger, so he gave us eggs from shaped just like camofloudge soccer balls. They were anything but nutritious, rather rubbery in fact. We thanked the caveman and continued on with our journey.

            We made our way to the Brachiosaurus hoping they’d be our exit ticket out of the forest. Instead, we were back to where we started. While the paleontologists played on a fossilized Stegosaurus, the other archeologist noticed a sign that said “Exit”. Could it be true? We called the boys and headed out. We followed muddy, twisting path before us. We were home free…until a trinity of vicious Velociraptors surrounded us. Not to fear Caveman Phil appeared and sounded his horn. Intimidated, the raptors ran away instantly. Then we walked out of... Dinosaur World.

 -Mr. P

December 27: Fuel #KidsDeserveIt

              As I’m currently training the Gasparilla Half Marathon in Tampa Bay, Florida several of my blogs in January and February will be about my post run reflections.

Run #7 stats: 5 miles, 31:49, 6:21 pace

            This morning I woke up later than usual. I saw my clock and panicked when I read 9:01am. Alexa (my Amazon Echo) proceeded to tell me it was sunny and already in the high 60s. I scurried to grab my iPhone, earbuds, and lace up my Brooks as my Garmin watch quickly calibrated the GPS satellite.  I locked the door and started running.

           

           I got into my usual running pace, but the problems arose just as fast I got there. My stomach to start grumbling, my mouth watering, and sweat was pouring down like a waterfall. My legs slowed and as my time climbed. I knew what I failed to do: fuel up.

           

           My body was telling me I needed to fuel up before I ran, but I ignored it for selfish reasons (time constraints, weather, etc.). The result: pain, less mileage, and disappointment. As educators we oftentimes try to power through the long dog days of teaching because we have to (be on time, make copies, sharpen pencils, attend meetings, etc.) immediately instead of making that quick pit stop to Starbucks or the vending machine to grab fuel. Don’t get me wrong those things are important and necessary, but having fuel to be at your best is important. Without fuel, you won’t be at your best.

          

           Combat this dilemma in two ways: plan ahead and/or ask. If you know what you need, prepare: get up earlier, set an alarm, plan ahead. Also, don’t be afraid to ask others.  Your teacher besties and staff will gladly grab you whatever you need. They are your biggest supporters! Make sure you grab the fuel to be at your best! Fuel up everyone!  

-Mr. P         

December 26th: Ready...Set...Blog! #KidsDeserveIt

           Today is the day! I’m starting something new: a daily blog post about my life in The Jungle: the successes, the failures, and maybe my deepest secrets. Ever since I typed my first blog last December called, “I Don’t Mind Mondays” and felt the rush of view seeing my first blog and I was hooked! I was trying to think of the next best idea no one had read about. But I was also skeptical about being judged and the number of views dropping. Now I’m ready because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in education is that     EVERY VOICE MATTERS.

         I could wait until January 1^st to start this as a New Years Resolution or until tomorrow morning, but there’s no time like the present to share so I’m starting TONIGHT!

Stay tuned and visit as often as you like because you never know what you’ll find in The Jungle! Don’t forget your bug spray!

-Mr. P 

Dare to be Different #KidsDeserveIt

 

Have you ever been told that you’re different and don’t fit in? How did it make you feel? How did you respond? All my life I’ve been told I’m different and don’t fit in. Learning there’s nothing wrong with being different is one of the things I pride myself on and you should too!  

   

       In Elementary School, I read books with girls. In Middle School, I played the Baritone. In High School, I ran Cross Country. As you can tell, I never stuck in with the crowd. Even as I began my first year of teaching last August I was doing things that didn’t fit in with the mold and principles of my school and principal.

       At first I would criticize myself and overwork myself to meet this identify I could never grasp. I started making change after change until I was happy and confident with the dynamic of our classroom. But the biggest change didn't happen until I consequently took after all the legos without telling the class. Immediately an idea was born: a science lesson about mapping and following clues (directions) ensued on Friday with Indiana Jones as the teacher. Little did I know that little spark of frustration that turned into a lesson would create who I am today. The students had their best day of learning and I had my best day of teaching.

  

       I found myself that day and never looked back. I started teaching carefree and with my students in mind at all times. How could I make each lesson engaging and relevant to the lives of sixteen 9 year olds was the question I asked myself every lesson. Students, teachers, and parents took notice about what was happening in our classroom. It only made us embrace it even more, especially me. Instead of becoming just like the other classrooms and teachers, our classroom lived up to its name, The Jungle. Everyday was an adventure and the students always looked forward to what would happen next.

      Being different became our identity and we embraced it because we were doing things other classrooms weren’t, yet learning just as much and having fun. When other classrooms in the school and on Twitter and Instagram started using our ideas we took pride in how we were helping other kids and teachers learn. When a student shadowed our classroom in May and commented how ‘weird’ we were, our classroom responded with a resounding THANK YOU! In our opinion weird isn't a bad word, it’s a compliment. It’s all about perspective on how you view yourself and the world.  

 Maybe you're a kid who obsesses over pugs or maybe you’re an adult like Quinn Rollins (author of Play Like a Pirate) who still plays with Legos. You should embrace what makes you different and share it with the world because thats who you are and there’s nothing wrong with it! Everyone’s opinions and ideas matter! Your differentness could just help someone!

My Imperfectly Perfect Semester #KidsDeserveIt

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘Learn’ as: to gain knowledge or understanding of, or skill in by study, instruction or experience.  With my first semester as a teacher over it’s time to reflect and share my successes, failures, and everything I’ve learned...the hard way.

I’ll never forget the first day of school. I wore my favorite green striped shirt and a pink tie with complementary Zebra socks. The classroom looked as if we were in a Jungle thanks to countless hours of sculpting construction paper I had done in the summer months leading up to this day. The activities I promised to parents and students were going to be nothing they had ever done before. The day was going to be the best first day EVER! The students came in so excited and were so well behaved until I said a phrase I have since vowed never to repeat… “You all are so quiet. Make some noise, it’s the first day of school!” From then on though, the mistakes would continue. I took my kids to both P.E. and lunch 10 minutes early. To make matters worse I scrapped one of my get-to-know-you activities because I overheard a student complaining they had done the activity the previous school year...so I had to find a 10 minute filler activity off the of the top of my head.

Fast forward two weeks later. I continue to struggle with classroom management and I’m starting to question if I chose the right profession every day. We’re only 20 minutes into our school day and no one is paying attention to me as I’m trying do our Saxon Math Wall activity. After not one, not two, but three warnings I slam my marker in frustration. Faces turn toward the board and all eyes are glued on me. Instead of silently celebrating I apologize to the class in anguish knowing I made a big mistake. I quickly text my principal so I can admit my mistake and ask for guidance.

A few months pass and I’m still not liking the direction my class is heading so I asked my my principal if she would meet with me after school. I remember the meeting being very insightful; but I left the meeting feeling small and incompetent of being in charge of my class. The next day my students noticed my attitude seemed off. I wasn’t the strict teacher they were accustomed to; but rather unengaged and careless. That night I took to social media to look for ideas and out of the blue Todd Nesloney, the co-author of Kids Deserve It started following me on Twitter.  Then he replied to something I asked! I was in shock that a man of his statue would want anything to do with a “worthless” first year teacher. That night transformed my teaching for the better. From that day forward he encouraged me to start posting my classroom with the world and everything has changed.

But life isn't just about the failures. Life is about celebrating the successes as well.  I sparked students’ curiosities by hiding our class legos and providing clues for the students to find the legos by tying those clues in with our science unit. On the final day my unsuspecting class found a map and pair of cowboy clothes that said “For Mr. Potrzeba.” After taking the students to PE, I quickly changed clothes and for the rest of the day I was Mr. Indiana Jones. I even attempted to teach and interact in my best Harrison Ford impression. The lesson and scavenger hunt went better than I could’ve imagined so I decided to dress up as other characters to teach my lessons. Characters like: Martin Luther, Waldo, a Nerd, and a Mad Scientist. My students and I both agree those days when I transform myself, are our favorite days.

Parent-Teacher Conferences also began to go really well; but one stuck out more than the others. As we were talking, one of the parents told me how her daughter couldn’t stop talking about the missing legos lessons unit. This was very significant because this was the girl who didn’t want a male teacher before I even met her and was so shy according to past teachers. Then I tearfully shared the picture she gave me before the PTC that read ‘Mr. Potrzeba is the best teacher ever!’ It was so unexpected and something I’m proud of. That picture still hangs up on our “Door of Fame”.

While my social media accounts won’t show all of my embarrassing imperfections mentioned in the paragraphs above, I do think it’s important for my friends, family, and fellow educators to see the imperfect side to my teaching because we all know that we learn best not only from our own mistakes, but also from the mistakes of others. Social media can quickly become a highlight reel of sorts and I want to make sure that MY blog is a place where celebrations are shared, but also struggles and imperfections. Because as a first year teacher I know I have a lot to learn.

At the beginning of the school year I was trying to be the perfect teacher while maintaining the perfect classroom….and it didn’t end well. So after endless digging for answers and not finding any I did what I should’ve done from the start: I reached out to my PLN and I started being myself. It was the greatest decision I’ve made so far because it helped guide and grow me and has continued my fire to enjoy every day and bring my best, because my students deserve nothing less.