Ten years ago, a PPCHS senior sat in his AP U.S history class, listening intently to Ms. Torres while jotting down notes on the day’s lesson. He always had a deep interest in history, and found it a captivating subject. However, little did he know that this class would set the stage for his future career. Soon, it would be him standing in front of the class, teaching students of his own.
Mr. Jablonka graduated from PPCHS in 2014, and it all started when he was only in kindergarten at West Campus in 2000. His most memorable years, however, are the ones he spent right here at Academic Village throughout high school; specifically, his senior year. His favorite part was spending time with the people he grew up with, and especially cherishes those memories. “Once you graduate, seeing your friends on a daily basis goes away. Those memories of just the ins and outs of high school are something that I’ll always remember,” he expresses.
The sense of community that he found here at Charter also left a lasting impact. He appreciated how the campus was so close-knit during his years as a student, which he still sees now as a teacher. What he most appreciates about Charter is that “the whole campus is very interconnected,” he explains. “Wherever we are, we end up finding each other. That’s what we strive ourselves to be.”
Growing up, Mr. Jablonka always found history to be the most compelling subject for him. From taking geography his freshman year to government his senior year, he explained how he always felt a deep connection with both the subject and the teachers that taught it. He revealed that they were the reason he always wanted to go into teaching, and they gave him the confidence to go through with it. He also realized how much he enjoyed being here at Charter, and it only made sense for him to come back after graduating.
Mr. Jablonka has taught both Government Honors and pre-AICE Global Perspectives for two years, along with AICE International History for one year. Along with several years of teaching, he is a part of a long list of alumni that have come back to PPCHS to teach, including Ms. Alongi, Ms. Palacio, and Ms. Gangotena. They all share the same reason for wanting to come back to Charter. “It’s because we love this school. It’s a part of us and we want to be a part of it going forward for future generations,” Mr. Jablonka explains.
Now in his sixth year of teaching, Mr. Jablonka now reflects on his transition from student to teacher. Although it felt unusual for him to be working alongside teachers who taught him as a teenager, he quickly adjusted to his new career. He explains that this transition went smoothly since he is a Charter alumni, stating that he “already knew what to expect.”
Mr. Jablonka also shared that the reason why he loves his job as a teacher is because “no day is ever the same.” Because of his extroverted and energetic personality, he felt that he belonged in a “crazy place with lots of fun interactions.” As a teacher, he feels that he never knows what to expect, and that’s what makes it such an entertaining profession.
Reflecting on the many lessons he has learned in the halls of Charter, Mr. Jablonka now shares his one piece of advice to students: find who you are. “High school is a very tough, yet rewarding environment,” he continues, “Life is always changing, and we’re always growing, but finding that inner value and becoming who you are is truly an exciting experience.”
Throughout his years of teaching, Mr. Jablonka has always strived to be the teacher that students look up to and feel inspired by. Even if the day is filled with lessons, essays, and tests, he tries his best to make his classroom a comfortable environment that his students look forward to entering, whether it’s through cracking jokes or even breaking out in song and dance.
Mr. Jablonka’s journey has now come full circle, from the kid sitting in Ms. Torres’s class, scribbling notes and loving every bit of it, to now being the teacher that inspires students of his own. With every lesson he teaches and every laugh he shares with his students, he shows them the true potential that PPCHS offers, the doors that it can open, and how its memories can shape their entire futures.
