Mr. Potrzeba's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 107

• Holiday Cultural Books!

  Funded Jan 16, 2020

  Thank you! My kids have been so excited to read these! The thought of ...it's after the holidays hasn't even been mentioned to me. Why? I think it's because they're grateful just to receive books. They even recommended I read some of these as read alouds during the holiday season NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. How sweet right? One student mentioned that these books we're receiving thanks to you, are their favorite! That's the goal! When I select these books, they're not just random. These books are hand picked and researched because I know these are books that students will enjoy, and maybe, just maybe make a difference in their life and mine.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 4 other donors.

• Natural and Mathematical Books

  Funded Jan 24, 2020

  Come fly with me, we'll fly, we'll fly away! That Frank Sinatra song is exactly what's happening when my kiddos read about the mountains and the fifty nifty states! It's so cool because we just visited a historical part of Florida, but now thanks to YOU we're able to 'fly' to other parts of the world and climb the highest mountains. Just because we have 4 walls doesn't mean we stuck in them for 7 hours a day. These books are taking us well beyond our dream locations. Thank you for letting my students have these experiences they might never have! YOU ARE AMAZING!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and one other donor.

• Social, Emotional Books!

  Funded Jan 3, 2020

  Sherri WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH and the partners that help make this project happen. In a time when social media influences us to be perfect and achieve all the materialist things, books and adults serve as the constant reminder that YOU ARE ENOUGH. If students can see themselves in books then maybe, just maybe they'll start believing that they are leaders, readers, and dreamers! These books do just that and it's all because of YOU! We are officially out of space for books, but I still WANT MORE because these projects are making an impact and I can't do it without. Thank you for your generosity and belief in me and class. We are a family!

  Yes, Sherri I have two new projects ready :) lol”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and one other donor.

• Culture Through Books!

  Funded Jan 2, 2020

  You all are simply amazing! I'm so lucky that you all of you believe in the power of books! These books are ROCKSTARS! These books are continuing to help my students feel included by giving them characters and settings that are like themselves and the culture they are growing up in. I seriously want to cry because my students are in LOVE with this collection and are learning so much and gaining an appreciation for people and societies beyond the walls our classroom. When people see our classroom, they immediately see the word FAMILY on the wall. That's the ultimate goal. YOU are part our family because of your generosity. Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 5 other donors.

• Read, Seat, Lead!

  Funded Dec 4, 2019

  These seats are amazing! They are a game changer! For the longest time in my short career, we've been using rugs...they don't last long or have the students set up straight. But guess what? These new seats can move at all sorts of angles. That means that students are now setting up and paying better attention in class. Say what?! Yep, just like that, and it's all thanks to you! Not only that, but since these seats are so new, students have been sharing them with everyone. They are quite the fan favorite right now. Little do they know, now you're actually attentive in class. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 7 other donors.

• Diversity Through Books

  Funded May 13, 2019

  WE LOVE BOOKS! I believe books are how we tell our stories. Books are bigger than that because they describe culture, and history, and everything else in between. In a book where diversity is the melting pot, I strive to make all feel welcome in our family. Not only that, but letting others share their own culture through these books has been a game changer in the eyes of our friends. I'm seeing heads turn and holding hands and more buy into our own classroom culture. Students are more kind to each other and understanding. It's been great to see. Thank you for building our library of diverse books!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 3 other donors.

• (Flexible) Seating on Success!

  Funded Sep 16, 2019

  When I saw these seats, I knew we had to have them. They've been a MAJOR upgrade over the rugs I've used for years. These seats are even washable! The students are new to them and are loving them as you can see. They're very respectful because they don't take your generosity for granted. It's been excited to see students share the seats with others who haven't been the given opportunity. These seats are also helpful because the backs stand straight up. It helps them pay attention and stay on task in class. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 9 other donors.

• Superhero Spanish Books!

  Funded Sep 17, 2019

  This is either the first or second Spanish edition Donors Choose Project we've done and both have been MAJOR successes! That's in large part thanks to you for providing the resources to make it happen. It warms my heart to see ALL our students reading books in their native language. Never before have we done this or heard about teachers doing it. As a teacher, my goal isn't just to teach, it's to create life long readers. My job is to create readers from non-readers. I do all this projects that give our family books they can relate to and enjoy. Thank you! :)”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 4 other donors.

• Libros Para Mis Estudiantes! (Books For My Students)

  Funded Sep 30, 2019

  BOY DO WE LOVE BOOKS! This project as made a significant difference in the lives of my non English speakers; particularly my Spanish friends! For arguably the first time in their life they're reading texts (picture and chapter books) in their native language at their level of complexity. My paras tell me it's amazing to see the growth they're having because of the confidence they're gaining by reading these books. They also feel included with their classmates who are reading identical books in English. It's been incredible and I sincerely can't thank you each of you enough for making this happen. This is the first non-english project I've ever done and I hope to continue more thanks to you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba

  This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 5 other donors.

• Aladdin's Magic Carpet!

  Funded Jul 17, 2019

  Thank you!!!!!!! YOU DID IT! Right in time too! This carpet arrived two days before school started. It's been a masterpiece and attraction for our students. It's also been a place where students can enjoy reading with comfort and learn from read alouds together as a whole class.

  Most importantly, this magic carpet has already shared magical moments on it. From Skype read alouds to special guest visitors, to practicing social skills, this carpet is truly magical for us! The best part..there's so many more memories waiting to be had for years to come!

  Thank you for making this possible! Stay tuned! :)”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Potrzeba