Paul Solarz > Quotes

“Although I play an important part in the facilitation of these lessons, the students take ownership of the problem-solving and reflection portions and display great leadership skills while collaborating with one another. Students rave about how much fun each experience is, and I’m meeting all of my objectives, Essential Questions, and Common Core standards along the way!”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“A quiet room, or a room led by a teacher, doesn’t promote student leadership, but an active, collaborative classroom does!”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“I can’t force my students to learn and mature academically, socially, and emotionally. But I can offer incredible experiences that make them eager to learn.”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“In reality, my connection with each student doesn’t start the year that they are placed in my classroom.”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“Pirates are daring, adventurous, and willing to set forth into uncharted territories with no guarantee of success. They reject the status quo and refuse to conform to any society that stifles creativity and independence. They are entrepreneurs who take risks and are willing to travel to the ends of the earth for that which they value. Although fiercely independent, they travel with and embrace a diverse crew. If you’re willing to live by the code, commit to the voyage, and pull your share of the load, then you’re free to set sail. Pirates don’t much care about public perception; they proudly fly their flags in defiance. And besides, everybody loves a pirate.”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“And I can help my students grow by creating a classroom culture in which they have ownership of their learning.”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“By the time a child is assigned to my classroom, I’ve already begun to lay a foundation for a successful school year.”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“One character takes a Patriot’s viewpoint and one takes the Loyalist’s viewpoint on recent (1776) events. They then act out their skits in front of our green screen (complete with costumes I ordered online) and put in a backdrop of period Boston buildings (created on butcher paper by the kids).”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“At the end of each day, my students collaboratively set one class goal for the next day. Someone needs to get the easel. Someone needs to write down the goal. And everyone should have input setting the goal. At the end of the school year, this daily process is smooth and exciting. But this scene on the first day (even the first few days) of school is… chaotic.”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed

“Before you start to worry that simulations might be too difficult or involved, let me give you a tip. Interact is a company that has written and published dozens of simulations to help you provide opportunities for students to experience every subject rather than just read or hear lessons about them.”
― Paul Solarz, Learn Like a PIRATE: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead, and Succeed