7QUESTIONS+PLUS

Martin Pitts, the principal of Kenosha’s new Nash Elementary School. Pitts, the youngest of seven children was born and raised in Kenosha. As an active boy running around Kenosha, he loved sports and music. Nowadays, he tells us, he enjoys spending time with his three children, coaching youth sports, reading, music, and cheering for the Packers and Brewers.

Martin Pitts will now take your questions ...

What made you decide to become a teacher? I spent a good portion of my formative years ‘on stage’ performing for my older siblings and their friends. Later, through their various acts of generosity, my older brothers Mike and John Pitts exposed me to the joy and satisfaction that comes with helping the economically disadvantaged. In 1988, I volunteered in a fifth-grade classroom at Wilson School. It was there that I discovered my passion for taking the classroom stage and leading children toward realizing their potential. One year later, I was student teaching at Frank School.

Who or what has been your biggest influence as an educator? Adults who’ve influenced me the most have been my late father, John Pitts Sr., brothers John and Mike Pitts, cousin Dennis Troha, and my retired educator uncles Albert Pitts and Eugene Bilotti. I’m convinced that the greatest educators have sincere hearts for helping others, take pride in their work, and possess strong work ethics. Each of those men, in their own way, have exemplified those crucial attributes and had a profound influence on me.

Besides being a new school, how do you think Nash will be defined? I believe Nash School will be defined by the following: Our warm, safe, welcoming atmosphere; high performing students; staff working closely together; our rigorous, engaging program of instruction; our rich, diverse composition of families; and our unsurpassed level of parent involvement.

How do you feel about serving as the principal of a school named after a car? Actually, Nash School is named after a man. His name was Charles W. Nash. Abandoned by his parents at the age of 6, he was placed on a farm where he was ordered to work until the age of 21. In return, he was able to go to school when he didn’t need to work on the farm, was provided with food and basic clothes, and when he turned 21 he was to have been given a suit and $100. He ran away at the age of 12, took odd jobs, raised a flock of sheep, and went on to become President of General Motors and later the owner of Nash Motors. A warm-hearted man, he readily shared his wealth with the youth of the community, and our KYF (now YMCA) and many other youth programs would not have been possible without his generous contributions. He was one of the most impressive men in the history of our town. So, I’m very proud to be principal of the only school on the planet that bears the name of Mr. Nash.

Are you into cars? What’s your favorite car? Yes, I love cars. Yet, I have the mechanical ability of the average chimpanzee. I’ve owned a 1967 Cadillac DeVille convertible since 1989, and it’s my favorite car. We thoroughly enjoy piling a bunch of kids in it, dropping the top, and gliding out to Lake Geneva listening to James Brown or other Motown favorites.

What book are you most likely to recommend to your students? When I taught fifth grade at Frank School, the book my students and I enjoyed the most was Maniac McGee by Jerry Spinelli. It’s a fun yet touching fictional story about an adolescent boy who runs away from a dysfunctional home, lives on the street, and brings a divided community together. I’d strongly recommend it to anyone.

What were you most nervous about as you prepared for this school year? What issues put you at ease? I was most nervous about having a stampede of unexpected students arrive on the first day. As a teacher at Frank School, there were many first days upon which we’d receive up to 40 unexpected students. While principal at Whittier, our first day numbers were usually within reasonable range of our projections. I was relieved when we only received seven additional students on the first day at Nash. My greatest source of comfort was and remains our outstanding staff. I was confident they were prepared to respond well to whatever challenges we were presented on the first day of school.

Growing up, what were your favorite subjects in school? My favorite subjects were, without question, physical education and music. I was an active boy, and I loved sports and singing. It always seemed as though the time flew much too quickly in those classes.

What’s the worst trouble you got into during elementary school? How many times were you sent to the principal’s office? During second quarter of second grade, my dad and I made a deal that if I received straight A’s he’d buy me a dog. The chances of ME getting straight A’s were less than 1percent, so it was a pretty safe bet for my dad. When second quarter report cards were handed out, I wasn’t surprised to discover I’d received a few C’s. Being the smart, sneaky, clever young man that I was, I proceeded to take a pen of a different color and change the C’s to rather round looking A’s. When I proudly handed the report card to my mom, I was shocked to see her face become stern and hear her declare, “Wait until your father sees what you did!” When my dad returned from work, he marched a crying and hysterical me back to school and into the principal’s office where I was forced to tell Principal Jensen what I’d done. Upon viewing the report card, Mr. Jensen had to turn his head and compose himself before giving me a serious talk. Back then, I thought he was too mad to look at me. Today, I’m convinced he was struggling not to laugh. I’m not proud to admit I did spend my fair share of minutes in the office of Forest Park School.

What is your favorite television show? It’s a toss up between the “Andy Griffith Show” and “Seinfeld.”

What do you think of the new dress code? I think the new dress code is reasonable and necessary. It provides our students and teachers with many options for variations in styles and self-expression while promoting a environment conducive to learning.

What is the worst advice you’ve received? That lime green polyester leisure suit really looks nice on you!