Some Interesting Facts about Mr. Fricko

My name is Mr. Fricko and I'll be your instructor for Computer Applications during your stay with Upward Bound Summer 2019!  My first name is Mike.  While I like the name, it has always been kind of a downer that it is so popular of a name. (There are a lot of Mikes!)  I prefer my last name because it is unique. 

I’ve been teaching for 17 years – 10 years now at the Redbank Valley School District.  In addition to English, I also teach broadcast journalism classes.  I love many aspects of teaching and am excited to begin this year of adventure and learning with you!  

I am married with five children – 4 boys & a girl.  They all have somewhat less common names (Declan, Owen, Quinn, Kieran, & Tate)  I love them all, but I always have a favorite.  It changes depending upon several factors.  I also have 2 dogs and 2 cats.  They are never my favorite.

I love to run.  I ran throughout elementary and high school.  As I got older, it became a time for me to just get away from everyone and clear my thoughts.  I ran a 50K last year.  That is 31 miles.  Halfway through the race I thought it may have been the dumbest single thing I ever did in my life.  In retrospect, I enjoyed it, but I think I'll stick to shorter races in the future.

I live in a town named New Bethlehem.  After growing up just outside Philly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but I really do.  Small towns are all very unique places.  I like seeing my students in the grocery store and knowing my mailman by his first name.  I also lived in Pittsburgh for about 6 years and I lived in Clarion for a long time too.  I miss them all sometimes, but I really enjoy the atmosphere of a small rural town.  

One of the highlights of my career as an educator would be being named as a 2006 recipient of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarship.  In recognition and remembrance of all the Japanese students who were able to come to the US to receive an education as Fulbright Scholars, the Japanese government offered to bring American teachers to Japan for the 50th anniversary of the Fulbright Program.  I was able to get an in-depth study of their education system from primary schooling through the university setting.  It was an amazing trip that almost 10 years later, I still talk about often!

In addition to teaching, I have had a variety of other jobs.  I learned a lot about the trades (Carpentry, Electric, Plumbing, etc.) working through the summers in high school and college.  Although I didn't realize it at the time, now, I am very thankful to be able to complete a wide range of DIY (Do-it-yourself) projects around my house! I was also a loan officer, parking lot and valet attendant, and a banana counter (which is another story altogether!)

I like using technology in education.  That's how I came to be teaching this class with you! I use Twitter to connect with other teachers that I would have never known otherwise and share different ideas with them about projects and assignments.  I use Facebook to connect with family and friends. I like to blog with my students and have created an almost completely paperless classroom this past year.

I NEED coffee as soon as I wake up.  End of story.

Podcasts in general have been a recent fascintation with me. I have really enjoyed listening to several different ones. I wish I had some more time to listen to them, but with 5 children and 4 pets, I don’t usually have enough time to do it.  I usually find time in the morning or before bed to listen to them - I have a rule to NEVER have a television in my room, and it allows me to do these others things.  (Sometimes I read too.)

I am left-handed.  Sometimes I refer to it as “wrong-handed” because things are not always made with left-handed people in mind.  I didn’t ask to be this way.  I hate scissors and spiral bound notebooks with a passion as they are not made for us.  I do play golf right handed, so I have that going for me. (although I am not a very good golfer.)