Joel Blecha

Public school kindergarten teacher, father, partner to an amazing social worker, writer of silly songs, co-host of BugTV w/ my sons, & pitbull dad. He/him/his.

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@bug_gwen @drsammytweets @TheBugChicks @JodyBugsMeUNL @MortonArboretum @BugQuestions @JessicaLWareLab I'm so glad you liked it! Things are going well; I know my cicada education is effective when I see my kindergarteners putting 'em on their arms & even heads to crawl around! I hope you're doing well, Dr. Gwen.

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

Parents & teachers, I wrote this song to help my #kindergarten class learn about & not fear the #cicadas that are about to emerge. Happy singing!
https://t.co/ddwe9jwgqj @drsammytweets @bug_gwen @TheBugChicks @JodyBugsMeUNL @MortonArboretum @BugQuestions @JessicaLWareLab #Bugs

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

Cross-age connections are awesome for the littles, the bigs, and their teachers!

[Oak Park District 97 @OakPark97]

The season of giving is in full swing in District 97! Last month, Julian seventh-graders from Adrienne Court’s design class traveled to Irving Elementary School to give 19 custom-made night-lights to kindergartners in Joel Blecha’s class. 🎁💚

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@JillPTEACHER Wonderful to see DeeDee!!🥰

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@dog_rates Poppy, reporting for duty!

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

Things my kindergarteners said when I wore my glasses to school for the first time this school year:

“You have funny glasses.”

“You have silly glasses.”

“Why do you have glasses?”

“Are we doing science today?”

“You look like a real teacher now.”

#kindergarten

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@dog_rates This is Poppy. She didn’t get the email announcing summer is ending and school is starting soon.

And she certainly does not want you to forward it to her. Thank you!
#RestingQueenFace

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

Click here for my donation page where you can learn more about how we together can support Special Olympics Illinois:
https://t.co/fnDWG4UjPt

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

Hi! Please consider helping me support 30,000 Special Olympics athletes across the state of Illinois when I jump into Lake Michigan on Sunday, March 19th as part of the 2023 Polar Plunge! Check out this Star Wars themed Polar Plunge video:https://t.co/UMXaiDmvtb

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@ryanarey Wow. Crazy. Where can we get your awesomesauce moving fwd?

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

One of my favorite positive behavior incentives in #kindergarten is lunch with Mr. Blecha. You get to invite a buddy, too! An awesome way for students & teachers to bond. #pbis @PBISForum @OakPark97

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@bergeregner @OakPark97 @BearsLongfellow I could watch this forever!
Sign me up for a cut!

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

Learning the letter G in #kindergarten with a lil help from @algreen & Marvin Gaye. Here we are Groovin' as we do Good work! @OakPark97

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

Just heard @justinbaldoni on @WBEZreset. AMAZING. As a dad of boys and #Kindergarten teacher passionate about helping kids recognize & refuse gender stereotypes I will be reading this! Thx Sasha 4 this interview & JB 4 helping us work to reverse generations of toxic masculinity.

[justin baldoni @justinbaldoni]

So many feelings!! BOYS WILL BE HUMAN is finally out in the world!
You can officially buy the book on the link in my bio! Let’s go!!
#BoysWillBeHuman #Bookstagram

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@htown180 @Sam_____219 C’mon, Internet! I need answers about this mystery person!

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@bug_gwen Thanks for thinking of me and my bug love, @bug_gwen ! I just watched and it’s faaaaabulous. @lmillernpr My fav part:

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@IrvingEspanol Best part!😍

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

#Halloween fans: now’s the time to start decorating your lawn for the best of all holidays! Watch my bro’s #DIY gravestone & giant skeleton vids to help make your digs the spookiest house on the block! https://t.co/oDUknKN8rr https://t.co/tH2LrboMyK @aaronblecha

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

@dog_rates @Trupanion Our pretty pitty, Poppy, is my kindergarten class’ unofficial mascot. Here she is doing her best to earn treats from my students. Look at the mutual love on all creatures’ faces!

[Joel Blecha @JoelBlecha]

1st day of #kindergarten & here’s the quote of the day to kick it off. S1: Fancy stuff is for girls. Me: Fancy stuff is for everyone; there’s no such thing as girl stuff or boy stuff. I like being fancy & I’m a boy. S2: Well you’ll need to shave that beard if you wanna be fancy.