Teacher stresses working as a T.E.A.M.

SAUGUS – Parents sent their second-graders to Oaklandvale Elementary School clean-shaven last week, but the 18 in Teddi Zeboski?s class did not return that way.The entire class sported handmade beards for “Fear the Beard Friday” on Oct. 18 to emulate the Red Sox in their hairy expressions of teamwork. The beards may be temporary, but the lessons they?re teaching are timeless.And while teamwork may not be measured by standardized testing, Zeboski said it became a requirement in her class during the 2007 World Series, when she noticed among her students the foundations of bullying.To Zeboski, creating a positive environment was a need, not an extracurricular activity.?If they like to come to school and feel safe, that?s half the battle,” she said.From the lifesize David Ortiz cutout in the corner to the Fenway memorabilia covering her desk and walls, diehard Sox fan Zeboski had no trouble finding a way to explain the importance of working together as a team to her students.?The kids just grabbed onto it,” she said. When the 2007 season ended with a World Series title and a roomful of students who understood what it was to care for one another, Zeboski adopted the classroom mantra of T.E.A.M.: “together everyone achieves more.”Zeboski?s kids have it memorized, and when asked, they will tell you “bullying is not cool.”While the class will miss out on most of the World Series because of 8 p.m. bedtimes, they have done their homework – and not just what Zeboski has assigned them. They named at least seven players as their favorite, and asked their parents to recap the game each morning. When asked how the Red Sox players help each other, Devony Millerick said, “When Big Papi got the hit in the eighth inning and got four scores because they all worked together.”The lesson continued as Zeboski?s class worked with third grade students to compile a list of predictions for the score of each game in the series.?No one predicted last night?s game,” said Zeboski sadly, referring to Thursday?s 4-2 loss against the Cardinals.In 2007, Zeboski?s students wrote a letter to David Ortiz, and he returned a video addressing the class and thanking them. This year?s class hopes for the same result with their own letter and a photo album to Big Papi wishing him and the rest of the team good luck.?My second-graders and I have been supporting you and the Boston Red Sox in our classroom since 2007!” Zeboski wrote. “This year we have been wearing our Red Sox colors and “growing” out beards to show our support ? I teach my students that while you are working hard to achieve your own goals, it is your responsibility to take the time to “lift up and inspire” your fellow teammates, just like you do, Big Papi!”As for how she managed to alter the age of some students and the DNA of others, Zeboski she said headed right to Jo Ann?s Fabrics and asked a salesperson: “Do you have any material that looks like beard?”