b"the challenges his own students face. With the exception of a very few sup-portiveteachers,hewasconsistently told hed never amount to anything. I hated school overall because things were just different for me, he recalls. I struggled with basic things like self-organization,havingtostudy,and knowing my schedule. In ninth grade, Mr. Wojcio makes sure his class is lively tomy teacher called me stupid in front of keep his students engaged. the entire class. Thats when I decided I would teach in the way I wished Id If we arent learning, we are moving,been taught as a kid.withdancebreaksinsidetheclass- Wojcio used his teachers criticism room,orrunningoutside.Wesaveasanimpetusforgrowth.Getting calmer activities for the end of the daypast that negativity and earning a de-(writers workshop and reading) to re- gree in special and elementary educa-set ourselves for going home on thetion was really just my natural defiance bus, Wojcio says. to do what I was told I couldnt do,Learn.Bernadette Hacklers son Evan, nowhe says.in fifth grade, was in Wojcios class forHe modestly claims that his job isCreate.kindergarten and first grade. Michaelsimple: You just have to be nice. BePlay.made sure to get the kids moving in- friendly and be there for the kids. I let stead of sitting still. Theyd run aroundthe kids know, Im here. You can trustM ICK E Y F RIE Dthe track every day to get their bloodme. Well laugh and have fun, but at pumping and be ready to learn. Thatthe same time, I expect them to workPRESCHOOLpart helped Evan more than anythingas hard as they can without complain- the focus hed get from the move- ing. More than anything, Im sure toOF OHEB SHALOM CONGREGATIONment theyd do, making all those neu- follow through on everything I say. ItsSouth Orange, NJMickeyFriedPreschool.orgrons connect, Hackler says. half being a clown, half being a teach-Workingtobuildhisstudentser. You have to get excited about what confidence is a chief goal for Wojcio,youreteachingforthemtobeinto who doesnt let his kids say, I cant. Iit, no matter how many times youve was told I couldnt do things so manydone it.times as a kid; its so easy to fall intoPerhapsmostnotableofallis the hole of becoming who everybodyWojcios true love of the children, in- SMthinks you are. If something is hard orcludingremaininginvestedintheir a kid says they arent good at it, thatsfutures. Says LoPiccolo, Michael is al-what we work on until its their favor- ways there for us, even three years out. ite thing to do, Wojcio says.Maddie still talks about him and wants Sandra LoPiccolos daughter, Mad- to go back and see him, and he attends die, struggled with writing when sheher Special Olympics every year.entered Wojcios class as a first graderWojciospatience,kindness,and in2015.Hewassocommittedtoadvocacyof getting her to write a word, somethingeverychildW hweneverthoughtshecoulddo.HearesureWee haaddters of the alphabet and to start puttingrolemodelth beessttworked with her to recognize the let- signsofat hee btwo- and three-letter words together.andmen-Onthenightofourparent-teachertorwhosc t riipp e veerr!conferencethatNovember,Michaelinitforthecllaassss tr ev !texted me ahead of time with the goodlonghaul. news that Maddie had written her firstAsWojcio word! He even laminated the word sheMr. Wojcio attendshimselfsays, Maddie LoPiccolo's wrote,tam.Thewholeschoolsup- Special OlympicsYoucant ported Maddie in celebrating this ma- games every year.getridofInfo at www.hartshornarboretum.orgjor accomplishment, LoPicollo says. me.973-376-3587WojciohimselfwrestledwithHeidi Borst is a mother, writer, and life-learning in a conventional classroom,style coach based in Maplewood. Close to Nature. Close to Home.giving him an insiders perspective on feature story /25"