WarriorEDU

Rob Niemic - MCHS Teacher, Assistant Athletic Director & Coach

Rob’s Teacher Story

Two Choices: Firefighter or Teacher

Grandfather was a firefighter in Milwaukee; 

Went to Crystal Lake HS, and Hastings College - D1 sports in a small school; at one time, thought maybe being a college coach.

Has worked here at MCHS since 2006 - 14 years; start of 15th year (30 semesters)

Philosophy of Leadership - one of his favorite classes to teach

Coach - Head Girls Basketball 

Also coaches Baseball, Basketball, Football

People have played a big role in his life, getting him back on track

Role Sports has played in his life

Since he was young

Learned that you want someone who is going to show up and learn, dedicate, put effort in

Create a standard that is so high, as a human being, that you don’t want to let someone down

Head Coaching

Be respectful of your assistant coaches

Having a high expectation of rigor as people

#OneTeamAllIn

“As far as the score goes for our program…”

Finding Balance as coaches

"Every kid checks in with me throughout the day"

Challenges in education & how you dug yourself out of the trenches

Easy one: When technology doesn’t work; a few years ago, I may have freaked out - today, I realize it's out of my hands.

As a History Teacher: Get away from worrying about the content; "let’s focus more on being a historian than a fact-finder."

Advice for New Teachers dealing with a Young Rob Niemic

What makes them tick and tock

What’s the underlying reason for the behavior?

"We earn the right to understand them"

From the student perspective: "Am I valued by you?"

Always think: "How am I showing you I value you right now?"

Guest Contact

Twitter: Rob Niemic

Host contact

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Leah Pelletier

TWITTER

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Leah Pelletier

Otto’s Teacher Story - 14 year teaching veteran; started out in Warren Township, and has been at MCHS 156 for the last seven years.  Otto has grown the Spanish program from the ground up, all along working to prepare students for AP Spanish. They are ready!

LOVE OF MUSIC

Loves Hip Hop, has been a Break Dancer since 5 years old, brought a Break Dance program to MCHS, and has been involved in the staff band "Staff Infection"

Golden Apple Scholar

Won the Golden Apple scholarship out of high school!

Favorite Classroom Story

Struggled his first year here in MCHS, working with a young lady who struggled with being judged for assimilating to American culture.

Recently made connections with his kids during COVID by heading to kid’s homes, making sure they had supplies and treats!

Advice for New Teachers

Give grace to others and to YOURSELF!

EdTech Tools - choosing the ones that work for you.  Keep it simple.

CONTACT INFORMATION 

TWITTER

Guest - Otto Corzo

Host of WarriorEDU:

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Leah Pelletier

TWITTER

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Leah Pelletier

Join Leah and I in the War Room as we speak to MCHS Culinary & FACS Teacher, Student Council Advisor and Softball Coach, Jessica Grens!  Some Key Takeaways from our chat:

Foods & Digital Life: starts with a great department; recently, working on providing take home lab bags and doing live demos; parents can get ingredients or teachers prepare for them; taking requests for recipes from kids

Jessica’s Teacher Story - into health and fitness - wanted to be a dietician at first!  Changed course, went into teaching

Favorite Culinary Unit/Recipe: Monkey Bread (of course!)

Challenges in education & how she dug herself out of the trenches: Very set in her ways, hard to change - learning the importance of adapting, becoming more open to change

What are You Hopeful For:  That we can SLOW DOWN!  People are way more kind than you think; wants students and co-workers to remember her for being kind and helpful!

Contact Jessica:

TWITTER 

Jessica Grens

Contact Leah or Jeff:

TWITTER

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Leah Pelletier

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Leah Pelletier

Join Jeff & Leah as we chat with MCHS teacher and coach, Ray Hagerty!  

Born & raised in McHenry, the Army has really molded Ray into who he is... As we thank him for his service to our country, you have to listen to the episode to find out more!  

Things Ray Says: 

There is so much more to teaching than content!

I don't take things personally when a kid misbehaves - there's more to it.

They (students) have to know that you want what’s best for them.

Team Aspect - the benefit and power of working together.

Get in touch with Ray:  Twitter: @Teacher_Hagerty

Get in touch with Leah:  Twitter: @PelleTeachSci

Get in touch with Jeff:  Twitter: @jdprickett

The WarriorEDU podcast really came out of a desire to hear teacher stories.  The WarriorEDU is a collective space, offering educators various opportunities for professional development and learning.  What started as a FB group branched off into a Twitter chat, and now a Teacher Voice podcast.  We are looking to amplify teacher voices, to hear their stories, including the hard parts, how people are finding ways to cope, push through, and what it’s really like in the trenches.  We want your War Stories, good and bad. We want to hear your silver linings. Because we are all learners. And because we all grow through learning from one another.

Join Leah and I as we kick off the new school year with a very special guest - Jim Love.  

Reach out to Jim!

Website: www.goauthenticyou.com

Email: [email protected]

Reach out to Leah or Jeff if you want to come on the show!  DM us on Twitter!

Leah on Twitter: @PelleTeachSci

Jeff on Twitter: @jdprickett