It's all real now!

Today I got my Fishman Prize check! All $25,000! It was incredibly exciting and made this experience real. I have been working on my pre-reading materials for our first trip in New York City and I am ready! I can't wait to listen, learn, and share with other amazing educators and leaders in the education field.

Off to Europe for a some fun with my family, then on to NYC! What a great way to spend your summer.

Time for a Little Fun.

I had an amazing time with my students at our pizza/bowling party.  I’m not a big bowler or pizza eater, but it was a blast! It never ceases to amaze me how much we can learn about our students each and every day, especially in a social setting. A big thanks goes out to East Coast Pizza for fitting us in last minute. The pizza was great and it was nice to see David Sanchez, a former Algebra 1 student of mine, working towards making his dreams come true.  When it was time for bowling, I cannot tell you how nervous I was, so silly, but true. I had to bowl and in front of my students! I am a terrible bowler, but this experience was great. The students were able to see a more human side of me and boy did they laugh a lot. We even have video of my amazing bowling skills! Yikes!! This really made me think about the students I have at the beginning of the year who are unsure and nervous. The creation of a safe, inviting environment is crucial to students’ success. I got over my fear and embarrassment and was able
to celebrate, clap, and cheer on the students as the made strike after strike; they were good! Being able to have true, nonacademic time with the students will be one of my most cherished moments as a their teacher. The students are amazing young men and women and they deserve for all of their teachers to get to know who they are, what are their dreams, and what they want out of life.

It’s Time to Celebrate!

As if the surprise wasn’t enough, the days and weeks to follow were almost as good! My students and coworkers were amazingly supportive and excited for the recognition and prestige that accompanies the Fishman Prize. Throughout the day, signs popped up everywhere.

They are all so much fun! I loved reading what the students had written, encouragement and caring statements full of pride! When I think back to the big day and days to follow, tears still creep into my eyes. I never realized or imagined that my students would feel such a large part of this incredible honor, as I had wanted them to feel.  The students have such amazing insight into their own education. They deserve and want so much more than we are providing them with from 7:30 – 3:00pm!

That night I was surrounded by my family and closest coworkers at Little Harbor, one of our favorite local retreats. It was a beautiful night. Great company, the sun setting in the background, and dolphins playing in the water right in front of us. The perfect end to the perfect day! 

The BIG Surprise!

5/19/2014

District Photo Shoot

Mr. Horstman called me on Friday to let me know the district needed some more photographs for a PR project they were working on. “Ok, no problem” is what I said, but what I was really thinking was I hope I don’t get pulled out of class again. The first photo shoot was fun and comical, but we all know every minute counts. When the photographer came in the previous week I had to pose all around my classroom, without my students. No security in numbers. I was it. They got to sit in
their seats and watch the whole thing unfold. They had a great time watching me as the table was turned and I was given instructions, hand and on hip, arms crossed, move to the left, hold this book, smile.  Anyway… Monday morning I got up early to make sure my hair was just right for these additional photos. Florida humidity is not anyone’s hair’s best friend!  I decided to wear my favorite blue button down and black shirt with high heels. It never hurts adding a couple inches in height, right? 

Upon getting to school I saw Mrs. Freitas in the hallway pulling down posters from events past on the windows. I thought that was strange, but whatever, it was the seniors last day of school, an emotional one, and I was hoping they would all show up. Their Pen Pal Scrapbook was due and I did not want to chase any of the students down to get the final product. I was happily surprised, impressed even, that most of the seniors were in class that day, working hard to finish their projects. I walked around talking to each of them, soaking in our last day together. This group of AP Calculus students will always have a special place in my heart. I have taught most of them for three years. There are many that I have known longer because of siblings or cousins. It is amazing the student-teacher bonds that can develop over that long of a time period. Most of them can do a pretty good imitation of me! Needless to say, this was going to be a tough day, saying goodbye to my seniors. 

At one point during the period one of my students, I have no idea at this point who it was, said “why is Cris out in the hall,” (Cris Torres, a previous AP Calculus student and all around technological wizard). I immediately thought what does he need, who is he going to want to pull from class for an interview for the morning show, oh but I was wrong! I glanced out the window into the hall, and OH MY GOSH! It was happening!! I WON THE FISHMAN PRIZE! I couldn't believe it. Mr. Horstman (Principal of LHS), Ms. Freitas (Assistant Principal), Mr. Oest (former principal of LHS and the man who hired me seven years ago), Dr. and Mrs. Lennard (namesake of LHS), Mrs. Elia (Superintendent), and then the BIG surprise, my parents!

Surprised by my parents, Ed and Lauri

 I absolutely lost it!  I was so happy to see the two people who raised me to be the woman I am today. Thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes. I cannot put into words how amazing that moment was, and to share it with my parents, boyfriend (Travis Pilewski), department head and friend (Diana Wohlgamuth), seniors, and so many others was the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE! The events were straight out of a movie. I just needed Best Day of My Life by American Authors to be playing to make it complete (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutzv7JjX7k).   I will forgive my students that pulled out their cellphones to record the event; I guess there should be exceptions to the “I see it, I take it” rule sometimes. J I am so grateful to those who took the amazing pictures and video!

Smile for the Camera

Part of the Fishman Prize application process included submitting videos and photographs of yourself teaching. Let me tell you, this is not as easy as "Okay, everybody smile!"  Although it turned out to be an amazing experience that I hope every teacher gets to experience in their career.

I want to give a big shout out to Garrett Mulholland, a former student and 2014 graduate, who helped me through the process. I needed to submit action photos to TNTP and Garrett was the young man that made it happen. Through multiple days of shooting and hundreds of photos (I know it sounds silly, but it is hard to catch people without their mouths wide open or eyes blinking) and tons of uncontrollable laughter while picking out the keepers, we were able to narrow it down to a few. I cannot thank him enough. I know I will cherish these photos forever! Thanks Garrett!

My Journey to the Fishman Prize

My journey to the Fishman Prize began with a simple email from my admin, Mr. Horstman and Mrs. Freitas. It is pretty incredible that this one email has forever changed my life!

When I chose to apply for the Fishman Prize, I remember sitting at my parents dinner table and discussing the essay prompts and what this could potentially mean for my students and  me. I was so excited and yet nervous. I am a very competitive person and through the months of next steps, I wanted no one to know I had applied. What if I didn't win? This was nerve racking because I want to be the best! Looking back, I wish I could have involved more people and students. This award is truly a celebration of exceptional teaching that is happening all over the United States in classrooms K-12. I am so glad that my coworkers were interested in the strange video equipment that was popping up everywhere for two weeks while I video taped my classes continually. I must say it became a bit of an obsession. It is amazing what you can see, hear and learn from watching your lessons and I would encourage every teacher to video tape their classroom on a regular basis. It is awesome professional development!

The application process for the Fishman Prize was intense and yet fun! I had to write two very short responses to prompts (250 words is just not enough!), submit a letter of recommendation (thank you Diana!), submit a 25 minute video taped lesson and lesson plan, have an unannounced observation, and lastly have an in person interview with a panel from TNTP.

My students were absolutely amazing throughout the process and so excited when we made it to the next round each time. I cannot thank them enough for the hard work and dedication all of my students over the last seven years have put in. Each year has been special and different and has gotten me to where I am today. Lennard Longhorns rock!

I have created this blog to not only document my journey, but to share the Fishman Prize with every student I have had. It is most definitely OUR FISHMAN PRIZE!

I hope you enjoy,
Ms. Zunkiewicz