Episode Summary

In this episode, I reflect on my first year at Winnebago Public Schools after spending 22 years in South Sioux City. Starting over wasn't easy, but looking back, I realize this year changed me in ways I never expected. It challenged me, stretched me, and reminded me why I became a teacher in the first place.

I share the biggest lessons I learned throughout the year, including the importance of earning trust, building authentic relationships, listening before leading, and embracing a new community with humility. I also reflect on the incredible students, families, colleagues, and team members who made this transition such a meaningful experience.

One of the greatest gifts of this year was gaining a deeper appreciation for Native culture, student voice, and the power of collaboration. Whether through our fifth-grade team or the BAGO Mic student podcast, I was reminded that education is at its best when people work together and every voice is valued.

As I close this chapter and prepare for another school year, I'm filled with gratitude. This experience reminded me that where we teach may change, but our purpose remains the same—to serve students, build relationships, continue learning, and make a positive difference wherever we're planted.

Show Notes

• Reflecting on my first year at Winnebago
• Starting over after 22 years
• Building trust and relationships
• Student voice and the BAGO Mic
• Learning from Native culture and community
• Lessons I'll carry forward

Key Takeaways

• Starting over creates opportunities for growth.
• Trust is earned through consistency.
• Relationships remain at the heart of teaching.
• Every student's potential is greater than their circumstances.
• Great educators continue learning alongside their students.

This is Mr. Funky Teacher with BeAFunkyTeacher.com. I'm coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast.

Welcome back, everyone.

Today's episode is called Looking Back on My First Year at Winnebago: What I Learned.

There are certain years in your teaching career that you never forget. Not because they were easy. Not because everything went perfectly. But because they changed you.

This past school year was one of those years for me.

After spending 22 years in the South Sioux City Community School District, I made the decision to start over at Winnebago Public Schools.

Leaving a place where I had spent more than two decades wasn't easy.

I was leaving behind relationships, routines, traditions, and a community that had become part of my identity as an educator.

At the same time, I was stepping into something completely new.

A new school.

A new community.

A new team.

A new group of students.

A new culture.

And if I'm being honest, there were moments when I wondered how it would all work out.

As I look back on this first year, I realize it taught me far more than I ever expected.

Yes, my students taught me lessons.

But so did my colleagues.

So did families.

So did the community.

So did the experience of beginning again.

Before we get into it, I want to ground myself in gratitude.

Here are three things that I'm thankful for.

The first thing that I'm thankful for is learning people's names.

One of the first ways we show someone they matter is by learning their name.

Students.

Parents.

Colleagues.

Community members.

A name says, "I see you."

And relationships often begin there.

The second thing that I'm thankful for is handwritten notes.

Whether it's a thank-you note, a card from a student, or a simple message of encouragement, handwritten notes have a way of lasting.

Long after they're written, they continue reminding us that someone cared enough to put their thoughts on paper.

I love handwritten notes.

And the third thing that I'm thankful for is open classroom doors.

I'm thankful for educators who are willing to invite others in.

Teachers who share ideas, ask questions, offer support, and create a culture where everyone continues learning together.

That's one of the things I appreciated during my first year.

Well, let's get back into the main topic.

Looking Back on My First Year at Winnebago: What I Learned.

When I accepted the position at Winnebago, I knew I would have a lot to learn.

I knew I would need to listen.

I knew I would need to earn trust.

I knew I would need to understand a community that was different from the one I had spent the previous 22 years serving.

What I didn't fully realize was how much this experience would shape me.

One of the biggest surprises of the year was how much people cared.

Once people realized I was there for the right reasons—that I genuinely cared about students, cared about learning, and cared about the community—they welcomed me.

That meant a great deal to me.

I'm not Native American, but what I learned is that when you become an educator serving the Winnebago community, people invite you to become part of that community too.

Education matters.

Students matter.

Families matter.

Relationships matter.

That sense of belonging became one of the greatest gifts of my first year.

So let's explore some of the biggest lessons I learned.

The first big lesson is that starting over is hard.

After 22 years in one district, starting over was difficult.

There were new systems.

New expectations.

New curriculum resources.

New relationships.

New traditions.

While starting over creates opportunities, it also creates uncertainty.

This year reminded me that growth often requires discomfort.

Sometimes we have to leave what is familiar in order to discover something new.

Another thing I learned is that trust must be earned.

I learned quickly that trust isn't automatically given.

Trust is earned through consistency.

Showing up.

Listening.

Following through.

As the year progressed, relationships grew because trust grew.

That became one of the most rewarding parts of the year.

Another big thing I learned is that students want to know you care.

Students are incredibly good at determining whether adults genuinely care about them.

Before students care what you know, they often want to know whether you care.

My students reminded me once again that relationships remain one of the most powerful tools a teacher possesses.

Another thing I learned this year is that communities value authenticity.

One of the things that surprised me was how welcoming people became once they realized my intentions were genuine.

I wasn't there pretending to have all the answers.

I was there to learn.

To teach.

To serve.

To become part of the team.

People appreciate authenticity.

People appreciate humility.

People appreciate effort.

That's true in schools, and it's true in life.

Another big thing I learned is that great teams accomplish great things.

One of the things I'm most proud of this year was the work our fifth-grade collaborative team accomplished.

Together we developed common assessments.

We analyzed student learning.

We discussed student needs.

We adjusted instruction.

We collaborated.

Our superintendent recognized the work our team was doing and the impact it was having.

Our principal also offered very encouraging feedback that validated the work we were doing.

That success wasn't because of one individual.

It happened because of a team committed to helping students succeed.

I loved working with our fifth-grade team this past year.

They were such a delight to work with.

Another thing I learned this year is that student voice matters.

The BAGO Mic podcast became one of the highlights of my year.

It gave students ownership.

It gave students a microphone.

It gave students an opportunity to tell their own stories.

The more I listened, the more I learned.

Students have important things to say.

Sometimes adults simply need to create the space for those voices to be heard.

I can't say enough about how much I learned from seeing the importance of student voice this year.

Another big thing I learned is that resilience is everywhere.

My students taught me a great deal about resilience.

Many students face challenges that others never fully see.

Yet they continue showing up.

They continue learning.

They continue trying.

Resilience isn't always dramatic.

Sometimes resilience looks like quietly refusing to quit.

I saw that throughout the year, and it inspired me.

Another thing I learned is that circumstances do not define potential.

One lesson that stood out to me this year is that circumstances do not determine a student's potential.

Potential exists everywhere.

Talent exists everywhere.

Dreams exist everywhere.

Our responsibility is to help students recognize what's possible.

Every child deserves someone who believes in them.

We have to help students see that their circumstances do not define their potential.

Whether they have a good situation or a difficult one, that does not define who they can become.

I think that's true not just this past year.

It's true every year I've taught.

Working with hundreds of students over the years has reinforced that lesson for me.

Teachers need to recognize that and help empower students for success.

Another big thing I learned is that understanding culture deepens our understanding of people.

This year gave me an opportunity to better understand Native culture, Native history, Native traditions, and the Winnebago community.

I learned more about historical trauma.

Generational trauma.

Identity.

Belonging.

Resilience.

Most importantly, I learned that understanding people's stories helps us better understand people.

Empathy makes us better educators.

The more we understand culture, the better we understand the students and families we serve.

Another big thing I learned this year is that you can make a difference wherever you are.

As I look back on this past year, this may be the lesson that stands out most.

When I left South Sioux City, I wasn't sure exactly what the future would look like.

What I learned is that relationships matter more than geography.

If you genuinely care about people...

If you show up every day ready to serve...

If you invest in students...

If you build relationships...

You can make a difference wherever you are.

That lesson gave me confidence, and it's one I'll carry with me for the rest of my career.

As I close and reflect on my first year at Winnebago Public Schools and in the Winnebago community, I feel incredibly grateful.

Grateful for students.

Grateful for families.

Grateful for colleagues.

Grateful for opportunities.

Grateful for growth.

This year challenged me.

This year stretched me.

This year changed me.

When I think about what I learned during my first year, I don't just think about academics.

I think about resilience.

Belonging.

Relationships.

Hope.

Community.

I think about the incredible privilege educators have to become part of people's lives.

As my first year has come to a close, I understand more clearly than ever that when people know you genuinely care, they often welcome you into their community.

And when you're willing to keep learning, keep listening, and keep serving, you'll grow right alongside your students.

My challenge for you is simple.

Think about one lesson this past year taught you.

Not from a book.

Not from a workshop.

Not from a conference.

But from the people around you.

Because sometimes the greatest professional development comes from simply paying attention to the people we're privileged to serve.

Well, if you found value in this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a five-star review.

Let me know what you think.

It helps more teachers find this space.

As you go into your day, remember to inspire greatness in young people.

And don't forget to be a funky teacher.

Bye now.