We recently connected with Andrew Ntzouras and have shared our conversation below.

Andrew , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I have worked on is, The Punies Lesson Series with Basketball All-Star and Legend, Kobe Bryant. Kobe visited my classroom in 2018 when I was teaching 4th Grade. The next day, Kobe sent me a friend request on Instagram and that is what started this collaboration. Since Kobe’s passing, this lesson series lives on with teachers and school counselors all throughout Orange County sharing the inspirational messages he infused throughout each episode for the next generation. Today, I get to work alongside these passionate educators and school counselors to pass on Kobe’s Mamba Mentality and strong work ethic in the hearts and minds of students.

Andrew , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I was in elementary school, I struggled academically. This experience helped me realize that there were many kids who also felt the same way. After working with students in church as a Sunday school teacher for five years and various experience tutoring students for reading, it became clear to me I enjoyed teaching. My sister encouraged me to apply for the credential program and this started my journey as a teacher. I noticed that many students were not interested in reading, just like I wasn’t as a kid and so I decided to write a book called, HOPE, that would appeal to all students; particularly reluctant and unenthusiastic readers.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal or mission driving my work with HOPE, is to inspire youth to love and enjoy the process of reading. It is my belief that when youth can find and identify books that they enjoy reading rather than being told what to read, that a meaningful joy can develop for books and learning. In writing this book, the goal is that youth will be captivated by each character in the story and connect with them on deeper social and emotional levels.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson that I have had to unlearn was that I originally believed only a certain group of “smart” individuals could or should read. What I have learned is that there are books for everybody and that individuals simply have to find books that they are interested in. For me, I enjoy biographies of historical leaders and fantasy. When I was younger I thought I had to only read the books my teachers told me about instead of searching on my own about books that appealed to my interest. As a leader in education today, I encourage teachers to allow students the opportunity to search for books that they want to read, rather than telling the students which books they should read.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theshowmatters.com
• Instagram: @_ntzy_
• Facebook: Andrew Ntzouras
• Linkedin: Andrew Ntzouras