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.
