Autonomy

My heart is breaking as I type this. I feel that my grip on my classroom is less and less by the days and by each passing school year. Recently, as I leaving to go home, I looked back at my classroom one last time and thought to myself, “My classroom doesn’t feel like mine anymore.” Rather than jamming out to music and skipping down the hallway, I put my head down and shed a few tears as I walked away. 

 

That phrase is likely one that resonates with many educators. A classroom that simply isn’t theirs despite the teaching, the hours, the money, the laughs, and tears shed that have been spent it over the years. Education continues to change as fast as the world around us.

 

I remember my first years of teaching. They were my happiest years! I was such a risk taker! I was working nonstop. I was living and breathing education, not because I had to, but because I WANTED to! I was reading PD books more than I was eating vegetables! I was doing twitter chats constantly, always ready to learn! I loved being at school all the time! It was a special time period. One that I thought would last my entirety in education. 

 

Fast forward to year eight. I’m still happy! I still skip down hallways, dress up in outfits, and do room transformations. I’m also still attending PDs and of course, reading constantly! I still enjoy teaching. I love all my students and hold them near and dear to my heart. If everything is so rosy still, then why not end the blog here? Well…

 

Not so fast! Unfortunately, the autonomy teachers have in our classroom is going away. What I mean is that our freedom to do what’s best for our class of students. Some schools want teachers in the same grade level to be teaching the same way and doing the exact same small groups at the exact same time. Some schools require teachers to submit their lessons well in advance. While other schools require teachers who have ideas for their lessons to email their academic coach and/or principal to get approval before implementing those ideas with lessons in their own classroom. Other schools force teachers to use specific curriculum and resources.

 

All this breaks my heart. Our profession is dying. Teachers, because of similar reasons above and countless others not mentioned are leaving the best profession. There are many solutions, but the topic for today is autonomy. Let teachers have autonomy in their classroom for their students. I’ve heard principals say teachers know their students best and should do what’s best for them, but those same principals don’t let their teachers do what’s best. 

 

Allowing teachers freedom and trust can go a long way. Don’t you remember having a last-minute idea, whether it was for a lesson or even a trip that your plans changed for the better? I do! Some of my best lessons (especially during student teaching) were when I was studying the next day’s/week’s lesson plan and a more engaging standard-based idea for engagement popped up in my head. Can you imagine if you had to get those ideas approved a week in advance? My mentor teachers weren’t always thrilled, but they trusted me, and most times the ideas worked out great! 

 

Think about the power we have as teachers. Now think about the power principals have. Better yet, think about the power superintendents have. Imagine a school where principals and teachers have a balanced autonomy! It gets me excited just thinking about it because it would do three things and probably more! Autonomy builds culture and individuality amongst teachers! It retains teachers! Teachers could teach in a way that’s best for their classroom will keep staying at their school. And finally, autonomy will bring in teachers! I left a great school after just one year to come to my current school because the principal (now former principal) Dr. Vazquez did a great job with giving autonomy within classrooms and a great school culture.

 

Autonomy lets teachers teach in engaging ways that are best for their individual students needs! Autonomy might just be a lifesaver in an ever-dying profession.  

Summertime Smile

“You have a really beautiful smile!” a random stranger said to me this summer. It was at that moment I knew just how happy I currently was.

 

One of the perks of being a teacher is having summers off. Some schools actually are full time and get weeks off throughout the calendar year, rather than in bulk during June and July. For those of us that are lucky to June and July off, we work extremely hard fit 12 months of progress and learning into 10 months. Moreso, because of teachers are underpaid, some don’t take summers off, but rather take on second jobs: tutor, summer school, cashiers, waitress, sell resources online, and more. This summer I was one of the lucky ones that took it off completely. 

 

If you read my June blog, thank you! If you didn’t, then you might not know that I finished up my school year, packed for a day, then flew to Salt Lake City, Utah to run in my first marathon! If you want to know more about it, I recommend you read my June 2023 blog! It was great experience worth reading in depth.

 

Unless you were one of the lucky ones, you likely don’t know what happened to the rest of my summer. I wanted to keep my summer a surprise until now. It was rather magical and memorable! Here’s why I had a Summertime Smile!

 

After the marathon my dad and I headed south to hike in the Utah wilderness! Over a few days, we explored many national parks including: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Arches National Park. Zion Park was brutal (for me) since we hiked some of it the day after my marathon. It was an opportunity of a life and I couldn’t say no, sorry legs. …Bryce and Arches are my favorites. The orange color surrounding your hike is something you really don’t see many places. Bryce had a lot of it, lots of mythical stories, and breathtaking views. And Arches…had arches. But the size and structure of each arch was so unique! One arch, the Landscape Arch, is the second largest arch in the world and on the verge of collapse. Having visited Utah a decade ago, it’s always been one of my favorite states, but now solidified itself even more! 

 

After days hiking in Utah, my dad and I made an attempt to visit Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. We made it to the park and saw some of the homes the Puebloans had built…but for a short time. We were rained out on a cliff with others. My dad darling navigated us back down to road level and we made it to our hotel safely. 

 

With Mesa Verde washed out, we were ready to be home. The next morning, we made the ambitious decision to drive 14 hours straight home from the edge of Colorado to the eastern point of Nebraska. Driving through Alamosa and Pagosa Springs, Colorado brought back bad, but funny memories from over a decade ago. The pain still reigns to this day, but my dad and I love telling the stories. Luckily, we saw Colorado snow and rushing rivers to bring back happier memories. Colorado is another favorite state of mine because of the snowcapped mountains and nature all around you. But the truth is, my happiest memory the next day just after midnight when we made it home to the sight of my mom and childhood cat. 

 

Over the next 2 weeks, I spent time with my parents, my siblings, grandma, aunts, uncles, my niece, and nephew. It felt refreshing to see them all again. It’s never something I take for granted living so far away and everyone getting older. It was a fun time! We didn’t do as much touristy things since we’ve done those things on my previous visits. But some things will never change. My mom and I always make it a point to watch scary movies together. My dad and I watch the Kansas City Royals lose ballgame after ballgame. We also did many other things like shopping for new clothes, going to a AAA baseball game, playing with my niece and nephew, going to the College World Series, and of course…eating at Raising Cane’s. It’s never so much about the activities, but rather the time and conversations with my family that I always cherish.

 

Leaving Nebraska gets harder every time. But now it was time to spend the next month in Florida. A day after landing back in Florida, I watched the Royals lose in person to the Tampa Bay Rays. I had great seats and the Rays really do a good job entertaining the fans.

 

With new clothes just unpacked from the trip, it was time to donate my old ones. I was clearly ready to because I donated a mountain (no exaggeration) of clothes. Then over the next days, I overhauled my apartment completely. I opened up every nook and cranny deciding what to keep or discard. I threw out or donated more items than I imagined. It felt like a fresh start. 

 

Rewarding myself I made a trip to the beach, started reading a PD book a day for a week, and watching a movie a night for a few weeks. I even contacted my apartment complex for them to clean my living room windows that were barely visible out of. I kept my monthly race streak alive by running a brutally hot 10k in northern Florida. For a night, I visited many of my social media friends at a resort hotel, who were about to embark on an education cruise. It was great to see many of them again. I felt like a celebrity in their presence. A day later, I treated myself to a lunch at Carrabba's. I had a $50 gift card from a race to use up. It was a big step eating by myself at a sit-down restaurant. It was delicious and I’m proud of myself for doing it. 

 

Then a week of planning and learning ensued. Yep, I was back at school to work on math and science plans with my favorite teammates for this coming school year. For one of the days, I was fortunate to go to a LEGO training. It was incredible! I’m excited to use Legos this year and the best part, they gave us our own kit! (One kit cost $500.)

 

Last but not least, my friend and I spent the week together. It was nothing but fun! A trip to the Clearwater beach, shopping at outlet malls, drinks at Bahama Breeze, getting rained on outside of Ikea, dinner and a card game at Bonefish Grill, movie marathons, and of course a full day at Magic Kingdom. The fun part about MK is that I’ve been there at night and in the morning (Disney half marathon), but never during the daylight. I even became a Disney Passholder! Spending time with your friends is fun. Spending time with your friends is the BEST! The day at Magic Kingdom was truly magical! I now own: a Monster Inc. Airpods case, 2 Disney hats, 3 Disney shirts, 3 Disney ties, a Disney lanyard, and a Buzz Lightyear action figure just like from the movies. Hey! It’s all for school…right?! 

 

This past week I went to Epcot to ride the rides I hadn’t ridden, bought another hermit crab, and two more unique plants to help gear up for the BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER! This summer I was nothing but a good time. Lots of laughs, good food, tall drinks, waves and water, sight-seeing in the wilderness, playing hide and seek with my niece and nephew, money spent on things for me (did I mention I have a new MacBook I’m typing this on?), and smiles, lots of smiles! It was nothing but a sweet Summertime! It’s a summer I’ll always remember! 

              

                    Enjoy some photos from my summer!

Marathon

“You can only say once that in your first marathon you qualified for the Boston Marathon. Today you’re going to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Today is a good day to qualify for it.”

– a stranger sitting next to me on a bus.

 

 

I had been itching to run a marathon since middle school. Running the marathon was something I wanted to do at least twice: run my first marathon and run the Boston Marathon. My dad being a runner himself, put one restriction on my marathon aspirations. My first marathon would be run after high school if I don’t run collegiately. I went on to run collegiately, thus further delaying my first marathon. After finishing out my collegiate running career in May 2016, I turned my attention to my teaching career and slowed down my milage immensely. 

 

Four years later, the itch was back, and I was ready to chase 26.2 miles. I signed up in the Grandma’s Marathon for June of 2020, which was the same place I ran my first half marathon. It would be a great culmination. On January 29, 2020, I suffered a setback that sidelined me for months, add on the Covid pandemic, and foot surgery in September 2020 and marathon was a total loss. Despite my success in physical therapy and a strong mindset, my doctors and I still had doubts if I’d ever be able to run as fast as I used to. Surgery was deemed successful, but pain and a scar were everlasting reminders that running a marathon was not in my near future.

 

On March 2021, I ran my first 5k race post-surgery and it did not go according to plan. All my training was not enough, fatigue set in faster, my body wasn’t ready, and I was late to the starting line. I finished a disappointing third overall. That was a low point in my life (with other things I was going through) and I knew I needed to make changes immediately. I reflected and continued to rebuild my mindset. The changes I made are in my past blogs, which have helped me be a happier version of my current self.

 

Over the sequential months, I started running more frequently. In November 2021 I ran my second race and ran much better this time. On December 2021, I ran my third race, which grew my confidence even more. January 2022 was my fourth race. February 2022 was my fifth race. You can see where this going. Every month I ran a race. November 2022 would my first half marathon near the Kennedy Space Center. In January 2023, I ran the Disney half marathon, my favorite half marathon that I recommend for all runners and walkers! Last month’s May race marked my 19 month in a row of racing; a year of half plus. It’s an accomplishment I’m proud of that I’m going to keep going as long as I can. I missed an entire year of running in 2020 due to an injury and the pandemic. I will never take it for granted anymore. 

 

Now the day was here: June 3^rd, 2023. 

 

Alarm buzzing

Shower sizzling

Deodorant swiping

Hair gel glistening 

Mirror staring

Race-bib donning

Music blaring

Palm-written handwriting

Black shorts wearing

Socks snuggling

Saucony shoes tightening

Nebraska-born runner

 

 

My dad walked me to a wall of yellow rectangles on a nearby street at 3:40. We said our final goodbyes as I gave him a fist pound and my only source of communication: my phone (it would receive text alerts as I crossed certain checkpoints on the course, which would help him and my family know who I’m doing.) 

 

I made my way to the middle of bus looking for any stranger daring to make eye contact with me, but no one did, so I sat down where there was an open seat next to a man. He looked more like a motorcycle rider, but I knew and respected that all runners come in a different looks, sizes, and shapes. If you were on any of those buses, you were a runner! He greeted me and immediately asked if this was my first marathon. How could he have known? Was it that obvious? I told him it was and that my daunting goal was to qualify for the Boston Marathon. His response was the first quote you read in this blog. Over the course of the hour-long trip up the mountain, he shared about his family and we exchanged race stories while continuing to build my confidence that no matter the pain I was in. He was determined that I was going to hit the Boston Marathon qualifying time. He even mentioned overcoming a tibia surgery, which ironically just happened to my best friend days prior. By the end of the bus ride, I was starting to believe, just ever so slightly, I might qualify for Boston today. When started to leave the bus, we noticed we were wearing the same new Saucony shoes, released a few months ago. We both have good taste. We said our goodbyes and continued on our separate way.

 

A gauntlet of flames greeted us as we got off the bus in the dark sky. No, this wasn’t hell. It was the campsite to keep us warm while we waited 90 minutes to begin running. Rows of bathrooms, bushels of bananas, and aluminum foil wrapped runners surrounded the wood fences. It was a peaceful atmosphere …until 20 minutes before the race. Runners raced to the trucks to load their gear bag, lines of antsy last minute bathroom goers waited, and eager runners ran before the race to stay warm. I was all three of these types. 

 

I jogged to the start. Looking for a tall stick with an orange rectangle that read “3:00 hour”. No sign was seen so I lined up with about 10 rows back of people in front of me. A runner next to me goes, “Well…if we get passed by the 3:05 group, then we’ll know we’re running too slow.” Suddenly, a man in an orange jumpsuit waving the “3:00 hour” sign showed up. Claps and smiles greeted him. Relief was on my face, but not for long. 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…

 

3… my heart starts racing

2… my eyes start dialing in

1… my hand moves to my watch

 

BOOM! The race has begun! A cannon goes off! We’re all running as if a bunch of pigs were just released from their pigpen and they’re free. (Is that right expression? Lol) Watches are beeping. I start my watch. Runners are parading a rural farming street in Wallsburg, Utah! Legs and arms are moving horizontally. It’s the start of three hours of running, I hope. All is right.

 

Horses galloping

Runners running

Ranchers waving

 

The first miles are easy. They always are. Lots of optimism reigns in the air. We’re in a pack of 20-30 runners, hunting for Boston. The runners are chatty more than I’m accustomed to. Everyone has a story to share. We all come different locations: California, Florida, Utah, Arizona; but we’ve converged on the same mission. Even I share my story. Very few of us in the pack have never ran a marathon, but we’re just as hungry to prove our worth to the others. 

 

The countryside is beautiful. Fields alfalfa wave in the breeze. Horses and donkeys roam. Wood fences align the course. Old buildings and modern ranch houses decorate the sidelines. Police escort us on our way into Prove, Utah. 

 

Mile 7 is when our marathon, becomes a marathon. The first 6 miles were easy, gradually going down in elevation in the Utah mountain country roads. Now it’s time for the first test. When we turn a lefthand corner, our pack of runners changes immediately as we get on a highway as we race up to the sun in the cloudless sky. Runners fall back, while others like me, claw our way up difficult miles 7 and 8. When we get to the top of the hill, our pack has thinned. One particularly talkative runner has vanished, but there’s no looking back. We’re less than hour in.

 

Miles later we make our way to an apocalyptic area, almost like The Walking Dead. Runners were here. It’s miles 13-14; the start of the half marathon…the very race I ran 12 years ago. For us, it’s the midway point. The weather has been perfect, the wind light, and sweat barely dripping. I’m doing well, almost too well. Could this be my day?

 

The higher the miles, the fewer of us there are. Our pack is now two. It’s just the pacer and I. How could I- with a hurt left ankle, and never ran more 20 miles, still be running well? It doesn’t make sense to me, but it doesn’t have to. We occasionally meet a runner that’s fallen back or one that’s racing ahead of us. Some stay for a bit, then we wish them on their way. 

 

We ran along the Deer Creek Reservoir and Bridal Veil Falls. The high waterfall and dam nearly meet us on our running path down the mountain. It looks peaceful and relaxed, just like our pace as both of us race down the mountainside. 

 

White mountains

Long waterfalls

Twisty pathways

Wooden bridges

Mile after mile

 

 

It’s now mile 18. I’m starting to feel the pain ever so slightly in my knees. At mile 19, a sign reads “The Wall” as we run under it. I tell the pacer, that’s the last thing I want to see. Mile 19 is known as the wall because that’s where runners start to struggle mightily on their marathon pilgrimage. But not us. We’re feeling great. We’re ahead of the pace we need to be at. Our breathing and sweating are minimal. The pacer and I exchange words and smiles knowing all too well how our marathon is going. 

 

After mile 21, a group of four of us round a turn and I’m greeted with a familiar face: my father. It’s at this point I realize, I’ve now ran further than I ever have and two: nothing beats the support of a loved one. My dad’s cheers chorus through the bike path. My frown reverses into a smile, my body straightens up, and my hand reaches out. I inch closer to him step by step. We give each other high fives. It’s the smiling and touch I need for two reasons. My mom couldn’t make the trip and the gruesome fact that I still have 5 miles to go. We’re feeling good! Could this marathon be that easy? Nothing is guaranteed, especially after 21 miles. 

 

After 22 easy miles, I start to slow down ever so slightly. Mile 23: a mile I won’t ever forget. I let the 3:00 pacer go in front of me. I run behind him thinking it’ll just be for a minute. It’s always just for a minute. That minute usually becomes the rest of the race for most runners. This is my wall. I am now tired. How could the easiest race I’ve ever run, become the most difficult. All the hard work I did is about to come crashing down. I don’t have it in me. I’m 20 minutes away from glory, but at this point, the next mile feels like an hour. I’m defeated. The marathon has won. My Boston Marathon qualifying aspirations are running further away from me. It’s at this point the pacer notices I’m losing him, my confidence, and my running form. He hollers trying to get my attention. I can’t hear him. He tries again, but I refuse to run faster up to him. This time, he comes back to the side of me. With a big smile on his face, he tries to cheer me up. Constant reminders of far I’ve ran and how little mileage I have still run are said. I look down at my palm. My handwriting with positive affirmations is written for this moment. It’s just one more hill. But it’s the hill we’re on. With the pacer by my side as the biggest support, we keep charging up the final uphill as if it’s a battle. It takes so much out of me. But I do it. Two miles to go.

 

At the top, it’s a sight to behold. No more hills. Provo, Utah skyline. BYU football stadium greets on the left. Then I notice a sight my eyes saw 12 years ago: the finish line banner. I ask the pacer, who confirms this. I’m feeling a little better. My pace quickens as the pacers encourages me to go ahead. I do! I dart for the finish line. To my surprise, my burst of energy quickly relapses, and I’m in pain again. My left knee, my tibia, both thighs are crying out in pain. With a mile to go I know what awaits me, but the pain is too much. I need to walk. I must walk. For a half a minute I contemplate this potentially costly decision. Then the flashbacks hit me, like they do with movie characters in the climax of the moment. My whole running career of triumphs and fails flashes before my eyes. I’m 3 and half minutes away from glory, but these last 3 miles have proven to the longest mentally and physically of my life. The wall is a real thing. I know what I must do. My heart chooses pain and glory over regret. I keep running, even as my pace is slowed down to nearly putting steps. I pass my dad cheering near the finish, not able to acknowledge him because of the pain I’m in. The pacer, who ran with me the entire race, is now caught up to me encouraging me from behind. I see the big blue arches: 2023 Utah Valley Finish line. Finally, I cross it.

 

I finish 2:58:32. I have finished my first marathon. I have hit the Boston Marathon qualifying time I need. Emotions rush over me. A marathon medal drapes around my neck. A variety of colorful liquids fill my lungs. My legs come to a standstill. I did it!

 

___________________________________________________________

            I intentionally never asked for the name of the man I sat next to on the bus nor the pacer I ran with the entirety of the marathon. To me it felt like those were my guardian angels. It was as if God placed those two angels (men) in my life to give me the confidence and strength I needed that morning. I don’t think I would’ve run well without having met them. I thanked both during the bus ride and after the marathon. With the outpouring prayers from friends and family afar, those two men, and my dad on the racecourse, the volunteers, I’m happy to say in my first marathon I hit the 18-34 Men Boston Marathon Qualifying time! My time doesn’t guarantee my marathon entry into the 2024 Boston Marathon, but it gives me an opportunity this September to enter it along with hopeful 30,000 runners. 

Relationships

As the video was playing, tears filled my eyes. I looked around the room, more tears and sobbing had filled our classroom. Minutes later, we all embraced in a hug one last time. Goodbyes were said. 

Our last day of 4^thgrade was over.

 

Every year I cry on the last day of school. It never fails. Despite this being one of my favorite years of teaching, I didn’t think I was going to cry despite how fun, respectful, and easy going my 4^th graders were. I had cried happy tears plenty of times during the year, I didn’t think I had any left. Sure enough, I cried…a lot. I cried during the class video I created captivating our year, during my final read aloud, and during our final goodbyes. Honestly, I cried in my car on my to and from school. This is a class I’ll never forget. 

 

After school, I received a text asking why do my students and I always cry at the end of the year? The answer was simple: relationships. It doesn’t always make sense that the majority of my students, even the challenging and quiet ones will cry, nor is a goal I strive for. It just happens. 

 

In school as a student, I was quiet. I did my best, most times just barely scrapping by. I didn’t have many friends. Honestly, I was bullied at times. I had respect for most of my teachers, but never knew them deeper. After becoming a teacher, I thought my relationships with my principals would be different than when I was student. But honestly, the students likely know the principals I’ve worked just as much as us teachers do. 

 

As a teacher, I vowed years ago to be the opposite for my students. Today, I like to believe that I have kept that vow. Students get the authentic me. They know my likes and dislikes, what I do outside of school, what YouTubers I watch, and so much more. They see my fun, serious, and sad sides. They learn my expectations for them don’t just apply in the hallways, but rather in their houses, neighborhoods, and communities. For our classroom, there’s a bigger purpose than just preparing for the big test at the end of the year. 

 

(On my birthday this year, my team surprised me with a Publix jamboree of gifts; including a shirt and hat…that I wore the rest of the day! Students knew I’m bigger fan of Walmart, but were taught a valuable lesson to accept and respect all gifts given to you.)

 

Relationships start with acknowledgement. They start when you first meet someone. You can only make a first impression once, so make it a good one. Smile. Make eye contact. When you see someone, give a pleasant greeting plus their name (if you know it). It’s not hard to do. You got this. You never know what that person is going through, a simple greeting might make all the difference in their day. It has for me. 

            Ask a question unrelated to their job. Asking someone what their favorite food or tv show are simple starters. There’s a million get to know you questions you could ask. Imagine if teachers took 2 minutes out of their day to ask one question per day to their class. Students would feel like their heard and more importantly, they’d see just how alike they are with their classmates. Now imagine how if principals did this at the start of staff meetings.

 

Listen to them. Their voice matters too. I often hear teachers say that it’s the students’ classroom; but how many of them let that phrase ring true. Let students talk. Give them choice. Let them make decisions that benefit them and their classmates. When you listen to the majority of the people you’re surrounded with (students), you’ll be surprised with how informative they’ll be. When you let their voice be heard, they’ll be more motivated…All I ever want to feel is that my voice is being heard at my school and in my classroom. The last few years I’ve left my classroom not feeling like it was my classroom. Like students, when admin listens to the majority and lets teachers do what’s best for their students, they’ll see incredible results and the culture will shift for the better.

 

You know what’s not on the list of building relationships surprisingly? Gifts. When I asked my students what they loved most about the school year, zero answers were: candy, random surprise toys, and Christmas presents. It got me thinking about all the gifts I was given by the school during teacher appreciation week. It didn’t feel authentic or meaningful. I rather have had 5 positive non-teaching related conversations with my principal during the 10 month school year, than receive gifts for one week.  

 

There’s a lot of ideas that teachers can do to build relationships: play with students, attend events, laugh with them, eat with them, share stories with them, positive phone calls and notes, throw confetti on them (my students personal favorite), participate in school dress up days, and so much more. Make the time to build relationships!

30 For 30

What if I told you, I’d move to Florida after being born and raised in Nebraska all my life? Or that I’d lose to my rival 21 straight races? Or my high school GPA would be a 2.73? What if I told you I’d be single still at 30, but happier than I ever have been?!

I’ve been blessed with 30 incredible years on this planet. To truly put that in perspective, that’s 10,950 days! That blows my mind to think about. How many of those days have been slept sleeping? Or driving to events and my career? What about watching tv and gaming on my game consoles? How many of days have I have smiled or laughed? Here’s a fun one, how many of those days did I eat breakfast? Can you tell I like data and statistics?

 

Nonetheless, I’m so lucky to have made it to my thirties! To be honest… I haven’t been looking forward to them. Mostly because I’ll likely be considered old now and I don’t want to be old… yet. My body will continue to slow down, and more aches and gray hairs will appear more often. I got to admit, I’m feeling old, but that’s likely just the grind of the school years as lots of teachers are feeling exhausted this time of the year. 

 

But who am I kidding? I’m Jordan Potrzeba! Today, in my THIRTIES I just ran the longest run of my life: 20 miles, averaging a 6:43 pace. I didn’t do that in my twenties. And in 34 days I’ll run my first marathon! Tomorrow, I’ll likely stand on a table and run around with my wonderful students. I’ll still run down the walkway to school and skip stairs going up to my classroom. See! I’m still young! “Repeat Jordan: I’m still young.”

 

 

Who knows what else will happen this decade? But for fun let’s make some predictions. I predict I’ll own a dog or cat by the end of this decade. I’ve been wanting a pet for companionship for years. (My gut says it’ll be a dog.) My second prediction: I’ll visit the last 13 states on my list this decade. I’m so close! With my third prediction, I predict I’ll trade in my beloved Ford Mustang for another car. Man, I love that car! My fourth prediction: I’ll be moving out of Florida within this decade. I love the fun I’m having in Florida more than ever, but I’ve been itching to move closer to my family. Shhhh! Don’t tell them.  My final prediction: I believe I’ll fall in love with my soulmate and start living my life with them. 

 

If my twenties were any indication, I’m clueless what will happen in my life. That’s perfectly okay. I like it like that. It’s never about my plan, but rather God’s plan. I’ll follow it wherever He leads me. It won’t always make sense at the time, nor will I even realize what’s happening in the moment at times. But I’ll follow His plan.

 

So here’s to writing daily journal entries …and blogs (Are you happy now? LOL), hopefully living for another 3,650 days (10 years), going on more hikes, chasing finish lines, playing video games, watching The Challenge and Survivor, being in the best job in the world (education), driving my mustang with the windows down, drinking Baja Blast Mountain Dew, finding the love of my life, reading books, winning Putt-Putt Golf and Bowling, traveling, enjoying life with my current friends while making ones, and experiencing the most awesome decade of my life! Let’s go! It’s going to be the BEST DECADE EVER! 

Feeling Lucky

Luck can come in all shapes, sizes, and can happen at any time and anywhere. But what if you were luckier than you thought? What if luck was around you right now? What if…those unlucky circumstances were actually lucky?

 

 

We’ve all been through moments that have changed our lives; some for the better and some unfortunately for worse. It’s easy to be happy and satisfied in the great moments and sad in other moments. Maybe our perception needs a slight change in its prescription. Odds are you’re luckier than you think!

 

If you’ve been an avid reader of this blog I might’ve told you the story about my 8^th grade reading teacher who threatened to keep me from graduating 8^th grade and going to the graduation if I didn’t achieve 25 AR points soon. At the time, it was terrifying. I wasn’t a reader (yet). For one weekend I read many chapter books and tested at school the following Monday and earned my 25 AR points. I was lucky. 

 

I wasn’t lucky because I earned my AR goal. Moreso, I learned a lot about myself that weekend. I became a (temporary) reader and it felt good! After I became a teacher, I bring up this exact story to all my students as a reminder to them and myself that I will never force them to read for AR points and use it as a punishment or a grade. I strive to be the exact opposite of that 8^th grade teacher. I like to think that I am.

 

Do you remember the time I had surgery on left foot? As a reminder, I hurt my foot and ankle late January during recess trying to dunk a basketball in front of my newest student. Spoiler: I missed and when I landed I knew immediately my foot was in trouble. As Covid started spreading across the world, so did the pain in my foot. My hope for running a marathon was dashed by the pandemic and my foot as doctors sidelined me month after month. I was crushed. The one exercise I could do during Covid and I hadn’t been able to do it since January.  In September I’d have my first surgery. I was lucky. 

 

Those months of pause gave me a rebirth and refocus into my future. They taught me to appreciate my running, friends, family, and students. The surgery was successful and that’s something I’m grateful too. It’s taken me years to get back to how fast I was running and I don’t take a single run for granted. I can happily say I’m just over two away from running in my first marathon. With the loss of life that occurred during that time, I stopped taking my life for granted and feel blessed everyday God grants me on Earth. Be thankful everyday. 

 

“You’re different and don’t fit in.” A phrase that has been a rallying cry my entire teacher career. For those that don’t know, after school during a private meeting with my principal she spoke those infamous words in a demeaning way that left me shocked and in tears. I was lucky.

 

She was absolutely right. I was (am) different and don’t fit in. Why would I want to? I don’t want to be like someone else. I want to be the one and only Jordan Potrzeba. Afterward, I kept teaching how I used to (which was different, fun, and more effective than other teachers.) My innovativeness kept growing as my teaching grew. Because I was so different, I took a leap of faith that summer and moved to Florida alone to teach with my friends at their school. I still reside happily in Florida. Better yet, I still connect with those students and their families from that incredible first year of teaching. Don’t fit in. Be the best YOU!

 

High school was tough y’all. I struggled with my grades, had very few friends, was bullied constantly, and being on the cross country and track teams all ensued my popularity was next to nothing. I didn’t go out and drink. Oftentimes, I was home with my mom on weekend nights while my classmates were having the time of their lives. It got to the point where I considered suicide multiple times. I was lucky.

 

I was lucky to have parents who loved and guided me during of the toughest years teenagers often face. They helped me hold true to my faith and God’s plan. I didn’t always appreciate it, but I wouldn’t be alive typing this without them and instilling a catholic faith in me. College was much better. Balancing collegiate running, my faith, and my friends was easy. Today, I still go to church on weekends, daily devotions, and pray throughout the day. 

 

It's well documented I wasn’t a reader until I started teaching. So much, that I drove to a Scholastic conference in North Carolina to surround myself by those book loving freaks. My life was changed, but one book changed my life two years ago. The book is titled Atomic Habits. I was lucky to read it.

 

Atomic Habits has continued to shape who I am today. I’m so much happier than I was two years ago. I just celebrated 740 days of positive journaling. For the mathematicians in the audience, that’s two years and a few days of happy thoughts and big/small successes. That book taught me to prioritize me and balance my work life. I’ve taken so many big risks because of that book. I see more positives in situations than I ever have. I’m having more fun than I ever have. Without that book this blog wouldn’t be at three years strong. You already know I’ll be adding it in my journal tonight all thanks to one lifechanging book. 

 

Those circumstances were unlucky at the time. Through time, healing, and Skittles, all those events made me lucky. I no longer dwell and pout over what happened to me in the past. Instead, I know the past will truly benefit make me lucky in the future. Never forget, you too are lucky! 

February Love

According to my Amazon Alexa, Love is “an intense feeling, affection, attachment, or devotion.” Jay Shetty in his newest book: 8 Rules of Love, explains love as flower that must be watered, given sunlight, soil, and given daily effort. February was truly a lovely month. There are many ways I could define love this month. 

Love is when your students know you’re being observed by your principal for a big evaluation, and they do everything they can to make sure it’s the best experience for you and your principal. They did exactly this, and then the next day when I told them how incredibly pleased my principal was and I broke down in tears in front of them. Without them that lesson couldn’t have been great.

 

Love is when you go to the beach and read until your heart can’t stop …or until your sunburn kicks in. February started my first beach trip this year. I planned my weekend accordingly, even getting in all my prep work done on Friday and Saturday night so I could get to the beach early. I had a great time soaking up the rays and getting in some much needed time. I finished my fifth book this year and even facetimed my best friend. Those things brought me so much love.

 

Love is calling your best friend at 5:00am est (4:00am cst) because they asked to hold them accountable to get them out of bed so they can get their workout done at the gym. Then the following the day, they text you reminding you to get out bed, so you do. Love is getting out of bed so you can go get your workout, devotion, and breakfast in because you know it’ll make you a more lovely person.

 

Love is leaving after your contract hours so you can relax and get your personal errands done. Lately this has been the case. Never in my career have I left three times within a week right after my contract hours finished to go do things that bring me love. I’ve rarely ever done this…and let me tell you, it’s a great feeling! I make sure to get my prep work done ahead of time so I can leave right away. Try it! You won’t want to stop.

 

Love is teaching Saturday School. Hear me out…not just Saturday school, SCIENCE Saturday school! Teaching fifth graders each Saturday has been fantastic and when you add in I can teach however I want, not just by the word for word guided curricula book, you’re just begging to bring out my inner kid. Our school has been my playground on Saturdays…literally! During the first Saturday I taught about speed, direction, force, position, and gravity we ran around the cafeteria, then around the school, and into an unlocked classroom where teachers were teaching as we chanted about our vocabulary words as we ran. Then we created courses out of tape, butcher paper, and anything around we could find to move our lego piece through the course. My scientists commented, “I rather be here than watching cartoons.” That was a big compliment. 

 

Love is getting up on the one day you could sleep in (Sunday), but you rather get in your weekly long run, bright and early before the rest of the world wakes up because you are determined to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Sunday morning runs are something I look forward to. Love is also getting in your post run rehab, drinking more water, and eating more fruits despite your strong urge to skip. Love is also trying a 15-mile trail run, falling twice blooding your leg and knee, but getting up anyway, smiling, and finishing what you started. 

 

Love is spontaneously scheduling a trip to go visit your best friend because seeing them once a year is just not enough and it’ll give you something fun to look forward to. Then rescheduling to make it an even longer trip. THEN scheduling more trips and facetimes together. It’s buying the same book so you can read it together. It’s the late-night texts and phone calls, even though you’re both teachers and should be fast asleep. It’s the early morning phone calls. It’s the advice you ask for because you know they’ll give you tough love. 

 

Love is waving at a stranger.

Love is reading a book.

Love is listening and waiting for your turn to talk.

Love is eating candy and soda and not feeling sorry.

Love is calling your parents.

Love is making eye contact.

Love is apologizing when you make a mistake. 

Love is taking a nap as an adult. (THE BEST FEELING!)

Love is jamming out to music at a stoplight.

Love is eating lunch with your students.

Love is showing patience and forgiveness.

Love is making time for yourself.

Love is moving on as necessary.

Love is typing a blog.

Love is infinite. 

 

 

            As you can see love is so many things! Love takes daily effort. When we love more, we receive love back. It’s extraordinary what can when we share our love with ourselves and the world. Love is extremely powerful. I love giving love! I hope you had a lovely February!