Inspiring Students

When David Groth learned to juggle, he never thought it’d be a way to teach kids in school. But the retiring fifth grade teacher has been able to do just that at Sorensen Magnet School for the Arts and Humanities where juggling is not only part of the curriculum, it’s how students learn confidence and how to deal with stress.

“It’s taught to show kids that they can learn something difficult. It makes them active, develops hand-eye coordination, and it’s playful,” Groth said. “It’s a confidence builder and the connection is great to see. It’s about risk-taking.”

The 63-year-old has taught grades 3 through 6 for the past 37 years. He has taught the fifth grade at Sorenson since 1999.

Groth was influenced by two educators’ published works – Jonathan Kozol and William Glasser. He said that Kozol was dedicated to teaching underprivileged inner city students, and his determination for those students to have the best education was something Groth wanted to emulate.

“He sought ways to get books in their hands and didn’t let any obstacle get in his way,” Groth said. “I was inspired by his determination.”

In reading Glasser, Groth learned how to create a passion for learning and looked for opportunities for students to grow and explore.

“I hope I’ve done that … I value the kids’ passions and love to explore what they’re truly excited about,” Groth said.

And juggling, sometimes on a unicycle, is certainly something that gets students excited about learning. Groth’s students perform at local art fairs and universities, high school halftime shows, even the Spokane Shock halftime show. His students have performed with the group, Performing Life Bolivia. Lindsay Michelle, the mother of one of Groth’s students, said that he helped fund the troupe’s trip to Coeur d’Alene. The group recruits street children in Bolivia and teaches them juggling as a way to earn a living for their families. The troupe spent a week in Coeur d’Alene and performed at the Kroc Center with Groth’s students.

Michelle’s son Braiden Buckholtz, 10, performed a dance with a former Bolivian child street performer, now 19, both of them on unicycles. Michelle boasted about Braiden’s ability to juggle clubs while riding a unicycle.

“(Groth) choreographs and sets the music to it,” Michelle said. “He gets no monetary benefit. I think he just wants to see the kids further themselves in some way. He deserves a Teacher of the Year Award … I don’t think he’s gotten the recognition he deserves because he’s so humble.”

Groth opens his classroom early twice weekly for his students to practice and he also teaches anyone in the community who wants to learn on Monday nights. In the summer, he continues his Monday night lessons at Lake Coeur d’Alene.

“He’s been an inspiration to my kids,” said Michelle. “We’re going to miss him when he’s not a daily presence in our life anymore.” Her husband, “Big Brian,” added, “Any parent would be lucky to have their life touched by Mr. Groth.”

Principal Janet Ackerman also values Groth’s contributions to Sorensen’s students. “David is an exceptional educator, who has utilized the medium of juggling to increase learning for all of the students at our school,” Ackerman said, adding that Groth is a founding member of the magnet school and helped increase its waiting list of students.

“David is a lifelong supporter of the Arts and a leader of the community movement that created Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities over nine years ago. He is a founder of our magnet school which has grown to 100 percent capacity with a waiting list of approximately 150 children every school year,” she said.

In addition to juggling, Groth’s favorite subject to teach is writing. For him, it’s all about the connections he can make with the students, and writing is another way to cultivate his relationships and communicate with them.

“It’s a way to know the kids – letting them find their own voice and encouraging them to write their own story that only they know,” Groth said.

He’s seen the way writing connects his students to each other, and their perspective and stories have frequently inspired him as well. For Groth, teaching fifth grade and juggling is all about finding that common ground where initially there might not have been one.

When he retires in June, Groth’s parting words to all his students is “that they believe strongly in themselves and have an honest picture of themselves and what they are capable of – that they understand the importance of hard work and have a caring spirit for each other.”

And so far, it looks like his dedication to teaching has done just that.

Michelle’s son, Braiden, said, “I think Mr. Groth is a skilled juggler and the best teacher in the world. He is so much fun, and he believes in me!”

Retirement for Groth will be the beginning of another adventure – that of bicycling across the U.S. He will begin in Seattle and make his way to the East Coast and back, bicycling with friends and family for parts of the way.

Before he leaves, he plans on having a “gratitude party” for his friends and family May 21 at the Eagles, starting at 5:30pm.

“I want to thank the families and colleagues with whom I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with over the past 37 years,” Groth said. “I’m very lucky to have had this career.”

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