The Gift #KidsDeserveIt

“Hello. I am ROZZUM unit 7134, but you may call me Roz.”

I love The Wild Robot by Peter Brown! The concept of a robot befriending wild animals on a deserted island and mothering a gosling seems mind-boggling at first, even for Roz. But it worked! Every year my students vote to read The Wild Robot and every year it does not disappoint. This year however, Roz and Brightbill captured the hearts of my students so much that they were moved to tears before the end of the book. By the time I knew it, I was crying with them too! (I’ve read the book countless times.) 

Every day I read aloud to my classes. When I stop reading for the day, the class typically does one of two things: they collectively moan, “No!” or my favorite, “Mr. Potrzeba, read us just one more page!” Although I turn them down, I secretly love how invested they are. So, when we were nearing the end of The Wild Robot, I knew I had to be ready to show them the sequel, “The Wild Robot Escapes.” But I couldn’t find it. (A book loving student from a previous class probably has it.) I was crushed and the students could sense it.

On the last day before winter break, students brought in gifts. Their faces were lit up with excitement for what they had bought me. They were especially excited for Irene’s gift. There was a rumor going around about it! The kids must have known, because despite their own gift, they too agreed, Irene’s was THE BEST GIFT! They insisted that I open hers immediately. I listened and yes reader as you guessed it was The Wild Robot Escapes! Before I could say ‘thank you’, they voted for it to be our next read aloud. 

No matter how busy we are we do three negotiable things in our classroom. 1. Every day I read to my kids. 2. They get class time to read themselves. 3. Our Class Chant. I encourage you to read to kids. Give them time to read. Know your classroom library. Know what kids like to read. Most importantly, share your love for reading. You never know what reader is waiting to emerge! 

Smile #KidsDeserveIt

 “I haven’t had my coffee yet.”

“My alarm didn’t go off.”

“Ugh! I hate Mondays.”

            

             Whether you’re a first year teacher or just the average joe at your job, you’ve probably heard someone say one of the phrases above. Maybe it was…yourself?

Would you believe me if I told you there was a magical pill to stop all those phrases from creeping in your head? Neither would I. I haven’t invented one yet. However, I do have a way that works for me. Yep, you guessed it, Mountain Dew! Okay…Mountain Dew AND smiling.

Try smiling! It’s so powerful and releases a chemical called endorphins! Every day, no matter how difficult the day was before or how stressful the day is going to be, I find time to smile. Take that selfie. Smile with that suit on. Buy a donut or two! But smile when you do it. You deserve it! Then continue about your day!

 My favorite place to smile in is stores; especially Wal-Mart (since I live a block away.) Watch how the person reacts to your smile. I guarantee if they make eye contact with you, they’ll smile back. It works 100% of the time. The payoff, it puts you in an even better mood! If they don’t smile, shake it off and keep smiling!

Smile, give a high-five, say words of affirmation. After all, Newton’s third law states: for every action there is an equal or opposite reaction. I bet you’ll receive an positive reaction back! Smile! 

Breathe #KidsDeserveIt

There are many things I struggle with. I can list off more things I struggle with than I’m successful at. Oftentimes I struggle with sleep. Other times I struggle with eating my vegetables. In all, the ‘thing’ I struggle with most is finding time for myself.

If you look up the definition of workaholic, you will find my name and probably many others right beside it. We have our own reasons: not enough time, nothing better do, workload, etc. My reasons include: perfectionism, determination, and loneliness.

Being raised catholic I know that I’m not perfect, and despite all this my God will love me just as much. If I sit back and ponder those words it’s a powerful feeling that makes me feel as if what I’m doing (well, trying to), is good enough. Despite my mistakes and failures, I am good enough.

That’s why despite my perfectionism, I’m a risk-taker. That phrase, ‘ask for forgiveness later’ is all me. The other day I wore a jean jacket, jeans with HOLES, and my blasted my guitar as I greeted kids getting off the bus. Just today, I taped kindness phrases on the outside of my portable. Both times, my principal has no idea…shhh!  Be brave!

My determination to be better than I was yesterday is my motto. It’s been my mindset since I was young. I’m a competitor. (Today I swatted a basketball from a 4^th grader’s shot.) I’m not out to be the greatest teacher who ever lived; just better than the person I was yesterday. I have the most amazing twenty young individuals and our school grade that are relying on me.

I live alone. I teach alone. I work out alone. I have a few friends. Most reside in my home-state, Nebraska. Others are scattered throughout the United States, so I don’t get to visit them often, or at all. . Learning to be okay with being alone all-the-time is something I’ve gotten better at. I value the peaceful moments. However, having adult conversations and going places with people my age would be be a fun change. Tag and Fornite get old. Sorry, 4^th graders!

When people ask me how I’m doing I typically say, “just breathing”. People tend to respond back with a worried look. Have no fear! I’m saying those words because I’m not: teaching on tables, being chased by 20 sugar-craved kids, and creating my next classroom transformation.  Understanding that every second we’re breathing is powerful because it means we still have an opportunity.

If you have struggles like mine, don’t forget to breathe. Try reaching out. Keep being who you are. Most importantly, find time for yourself and accept you are okay the way you are. Take those risks you’ve been so hesitant to take. …Today is an opportunity. Breathe. YOU GOT THIS!