Faisal Madni

It all started when I was just a 16-year-old growing up on Long Island, NY where I was attending High School during the day and assisting my Karate instructor at night with teaching the adult night classes. This was entirely out of my comfort zone because, to me, I am just a young kid with a blue belt that has no clue about life and is being asked to teach students old enough to be my parents! However, to advance in rank, I needed to pursue what was required of me. Like most young people, I didn’t have much confidence in myself and I often second-guessed what my purpose in life was. The life-changing moment was that one night when several adults approached me after class and complimented me about the way I taught each lesson with patience and encouragement, which made them more confident in reaching their goal of becoming a black belt.  I remember riding my bike back home with a smile from one ear to ear, thinking of those comments over and over in my head until I went to bed that night. Truth be told, those words still bring a smile to my face!

                   In 2007, I was looking for a position to teach Health and Physical Education. After applying to several schools across the state with no success, I received a phone call from a principal from OKCPS asking if I was still looking for a position and would like to schedule an interview. That school was Shidler Elementary! I remember driving to the school parking lot the night before my first day to process what I went through to get to this point. I remember the words of my mother, “Approach your role as a teacher as if you were responsible for everything to improve the lives of those children and never ever clock out!”  I made a promise to myself that night that I would dedicate my life and career to the Shidler-Wheeler community. My job title may say ''Health and Physical Education Teacher,'' but to me, that is just the title. My main objective as I enter the building until I leave is to instill a growth mindset while developing a meaningful relationship with each and every student. Once that has been accomplished, my goal is to convince every student of the value of being “Fit & Literate.” 

Schools need to stress the importance of health and fitness along with our goals of pursuing higher education. I let my students know that in every family there is THE ONE individual who breaks the cycle of health issues and that they, regardless of age have the ability to not only change the direction of their lives but also inspire the members of their family. Over 15 years later, I am truly blessed to say I have zero regrets about staying with one school and witnessing the growth of hundreds of individuals from Pre-K through adulthood. I truly believe that the rewards I find in teaching are almost always intrinsic. You can’t see it, touch it or deposit it in the bank, but you know there was a direct deposit to your soul!