NAME:
Coach Fritts
SCHOOL:
Friendswood JR. High
CLASS:
7th Grade Mathematics
SCHOOL PHONE / FAX:
281-996-6200 / 281-996-6262
Hello,
I am Coach Fritts and welcome to the 2011-2012 school year. This will be my 6th year at FJH and
my 14th year in the classroom teaching mathematics. My family and I moved from Tennessee to
Texas in June of 2006 and have really enjoyed our time here so far. I have taught math on many
different levels ranging from 6th grade mathematics to Algebra I. This is also my second "tour of
duty" in Texas. My wife and I lived in Waco from 2001-2003 while she attended Baylor and
completed her Masters of Divinity at Truett Theological Seminary.
Did I go to Baylor too...not exactly, I graduated from East Tennessee State University in Johnson
City, TN in 1993. I worked in medical sales and banking for a few years until I decided to continue
my education at the University of Tennessee. I received my Master's Degree in Education in 1999. I
am a proud Knoxville, Tennessee native and HUGE University of Tennessee fan. We moved here to be
near my wife's family but Tennessee is never far from my heart. When you come to my classroom
you will see many University of Tennessee items hanging from my walls...I like to think that I went to
the real UT and not the "other" UT (university of texas).
Since moving to Friendswood we have enjoyed the area and being close to my wife's family.
Speaking of my family, I have a beautiful wife and 2 awesome children. One thing you will find out
about me very quickly is that nothing is more important to me than my family.
In addition to teaching math, I will be coaching basketball for the 7th grade girls A Team. I spent 2
seasons coaching the 7th grade girls B Team where we accumulated 32 wins and 4 losses while
earning a District Runner Up finish in 2007 and a District Championship in 2008!
During the 2008-2009 Season (my first as 7A Coach), the 7A team finished 11 and 6 with two 2nd
place finishes in yearly tournaments despite many injuries and illnesses. In 2009-2010, the 7A team
finished with an 11 and 3 overall record. We were blessed enough during the 2010-2011 Season to
make a great run all season and capture the District Title! We finished with a 14 and 3 record
running the past 5 seasons cumulative record to 68 wins and 16 losses.
In addition to basketball, I will also be coaching the 7th Grade C Football Team for the 2nd year in
a row. Last season the 7C team finished with a 5 and 3 record and won (by most accounts) the most
exciting home game on FJH history...you will have to ask me about it sometime! We had great kids on
the team and I look forward to much of the same for this year.
I used to coach the Boys Tennis Team. I don't coach it anymore but from 2007 to 2010 both the
7th and 8th grades boys each won their Grade Level Team District Titles. Four Straight Team Titles is
a reflection of the talented players we have, not of the coach...trust me on that.
Although most of my coaching experiences have been in both boys and girls basketball (High
School, Middle School, AAU), I have a wide range of coaching experiences. I have had the pleasure to
work with great kids in all my tenures as a track, golf, cross country, football and basketball coach.
Behind every great coach are great kids...and an understanding wife!
Friendswood has been a great place to teach and live so far and I am excited about continuing to
teach in an EXEMPLARY district. If you need to contact me, the best way is through email. My school
email is jfritts@fisdk12.net or you can click the email link at the left. I will be happy to reply when I
have my break. Lets have a great year!!!!!!
I break my teaching down into two categories. This first category is Real World Application. With
Real World Application, I try to show my students the importance of math in the real world and
everyday life. I understand, however, not every skill we cover will be necessary for their future...it
depends upon what career path they choose. I do believe math sharpens the mind for all types of
problem solving skills and what career has no problem solving, not many.
However, I still get the hand in the air and the…“When are we ever going to need to know this?”
question at least once every couple of weeks. Even though I see the importance of math, I
understand why a student would ask it. Even as an adult I want to validate that what I have learned,
and continue to learn, is something I will use in my life. Through analogies and stories (of which I
have many) I point out the relevance of math and why the students need to know it.
The second category of my teaching philosophy is "Tough Love". Tough Love is a slang term a
friend of mine and I came up with while in graduate school. I show my students I care about them
and their education. However, I do not let them “slide” when it comes to following the rules within
my classroom or those established by our social contracts or the school and/or district. Like a
parent, I am tough on my students because I care about them.
I believe for every choice a student makes, there is an action (albeit positive or negative) for that
choice. If they do their work as expected and act appropriately they will receive proper credit, the
appropriate grade and other privileges deserving of such action. If they do not do their part or
behave in a manner inappropriate to the classroom by breaking the social contract then they are
subjected to the discipline that follows. Even as an adult, every choice I make has an action that will
follow.
I want my students to enjoy my class. I want them to learn about mathematics but I also want
them to leave the 7th grade knowing they can actually like math, understand its applications and use
it for their future endeavors. I hope I can accomplish those things.
