Jordan Potrzeba is a 4th grade teacher at Walter Caldwell Elementary School in Auburndale, FL.
Imagine being told by your principal in your first year of teaching that you were different and didn’t belong. After experiencing just that, Jordan moved from Nebraska to Florida, where he found a school that welcomes his energy, ideas, and unique personality. In our conversation, Jordan shares about his passion to see teachers grow, share, be vulnerable, and take risks. He also describes how travel and music enrich his life, and offers some great recommendations around books to read, Twitter accounts to follow, a great YouTube channel to subscribe to, and more.
Follow Jordan Potrzeba on Twitter and Instagram @JordanPotrzeba, and check out his reflections on education at https://bloggingjungle.blogspot.com/.
TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Jordan discusses …
- 0:58 – his teaching situation: 4th grade teacher at Walter Caldwell Elementary in Auburndale, FL
- 2:10 – a low moment in his career: being told by an administrator in his first year of teaching that he was different and didn’t fit in
- 7:45 – what gets him excited about education today: seeing teachers stand up, share their voice, be vulnerable, and regain their passion
- 12:22 – another area of personal passion and learning: travel
- 13:36 – a personal habit that contributes to his success: listening to music no matter what the context, dancing when possible
- 15:23 – two accounts we need to follow on Twitter: Nicole Taylor (@GuysBride) and Todd Nesloney (@TechNinjaTodd), co-author of the new Sparks in the Dark
- 16:34 – his favourite edtech tools: Nearpod (@Nearpod) and FlipGrid (@FlipGrid)
- 19:21 – two book recommendations: Refugee by Alan Gratz (@AlanGratz) and Play Like a Pirate by Quinn Rollins (@jedikermit)
- 20:36 – a YouTube channel pick that works well in elementary Math classrooms: NumberRock Math Songs
- 22:44 – his go-to on Netflix (even though he’s currently not a subscriber): The Office
- 23:23 – the best ways to follow him online … see above!
Song Track Credits
Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)
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Teachers on Fire 