Over the last couple of weeks as I have prepared my mind for the August mindset (and let's be honest a first nine weeks mindset in my world), I have thought about the similarities among the game and startling differences.
Last week, this video was all the buzz on Facebook and teacher blogs.
I will be the first one to admit it, I laughed. I had several people "who thought of me" and shared the video because of my love for the game. As I have processed the concept of treating educators like athletes, which is not a new concept in my mind, I went back to the laughter. Why is it funny? Is it really funny? If a similar video came along for the spoofing the medical profession, would we laugh?
In a couple of weeks, I officially begin my eleventh year of teaching. There are so many things that have changed in the last decade. People are leaving the profession in droves. My state issued 189 emergency teaching certificates last week (the last count that I heard) and so many schools throughout the state will have classrooms packed with too many little ones (or older students) and the wrong people educating said students for a year.
Let me preface this next statement with how much I love my job. Ten years ago, if you would have asked me what I was going to do with the rest of my life, I would have told you I was going to teach. I do not really see myself retiring as a kindergarten teacher --- I think that requires youth to keep up with the little bundles of joy but I would have told you I was going to be a career educator. And here's another important statement - I want to, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. Throughout my summer, I spent more time on me (and less time on school stuff) than I ever have in the last decade. I do not love the job any less than I did a decade ago, but I do think it has become more demanding throughout my tenure. The constant demands and behind the scenes work will take everything out of even the most gifted person.
So back to the treatment of teachers as athletes, why isn't the video funny? It's a very real sentiment in the world of education - our public perception, salary, "winning percentages", team dynamics, and coaching staff. Maybe my biggest issue with the spoof is that the nation finds comedy in educators' pain. We are struggling (more than you probably know) to be professional and do what is best for kids and meanwhile back at the station...
I will be the first to critique lackluster coaching, poor player performance, etc. all the while understanding that I do not have the capability to play professional sports. The major difference between the critiques that professional athletes and coaches receive versus the world of education is the pay check. Last time I checked, I am still waiting on my signing bonus. I wish I could holdout on signing my contract to be a franchise player like Dez Bryant did when I am not happy with the contingents.
In the world of professional athletics...
Does anyone ever say "But you had all summer off" or but you had all the entire offseason?
First of all, define all. I had June and July off which equates to 0.16th of the year. I guarantee you in the months that school is in session I bank more than enough hours to compensate for that time off. Add in the fact that often times, we are in professional development, reading a professional book, or collaborating with colleagues and the fact that it is just impossible to turn the teacher brain completely off. Then there is the fact that in a few weeks when school starts, my alarm clock will go off at the ungodly hour of extremely dark so that I squeeze in some exercise and make sure that everything is ready for the little ones when they walk through the door at 7:40 a.m. The first few weeks are so very hard. They are not independent. I mean have you ever been needed by 20 or so people in every single instance at the same time. Bathroom breaks are a luxury. Sleep is a necessity but when becomes the biggest dilemma in those early weeks because there is just an extremely long to do list as you acclimate into the super human world of teaching. Most individuals would need 3 or 4 "all summers" to survive a day in kindergarten. It just simply is not fair to say but you had all summer off. So, please just don't...ever....to me.
Coaches (Athletic Directors and Owners) get critiqued beyond belief in both the world of college football and professional.
At the end of the day, we are all human but my mindset is a little different for someone who is making half a million dollars a year and getting to recruit, pick, and draft their talent. Teachers are kings and queens of player development. We do not get to pick who comes into our rooms everyday nor do we get to bench someone when they do not have the background knowledge necessary for school success at the standard that everyone expects. I have the privilege of making every little one feel like the Dez Bryant of the classroom.
Mistakes are proof you are trying.
Unless you are an educator, the critiques never end. I am quite surprised by the number of people who have never taught and have no background in the field want to give me their opinions about things. Here is where the lines blur for athletics. Athletics exist for entertainment purposes. My profession, however, is slightly different. Athletes get accolades in a variety of forms that from the outside looking in seem to be very specific to their position, team, or sport. The only media coverage education seems to receive is negative and at the end of the day, teachers are the ones that take the brunt of the blame even though we are not the ones making the decisions and enacting ridiculous amount of policy, which is not developmentally appropriate in 99.9% of the cases. I remember the days in NFL and college football where mistakes were made without instant replay and the game went on. With advancements, however, instant replay and challenges have changed the game. Educators wish we had a challenge flag to throw to make the testing and standardization of the this field stop. Just make it stop already.
Training Camp
Athletes are expected to report to training camp. Training camp is provided. It is an opportunity to mesh with the team and coaching staff but also in my mind provides a chance for athletes to put their "game face" on. Back in January, I decided with some help from a teaching mentor to apply for Teacher's College Reading Institute. Applications came out in February and amid a very tough personal season of life, I filled out the application and put the whole opportunity on the back burner. I just did not think that it would come to fruition. I remember in April, checking my email as I ate my banana for lunch and walked around setting up the room for our afternoon amid my planning period getting an email. I opened it thinking it was a generic, thanks for applying but maybe next year. I read the first line and was astonished that I sat down in complete and utter shock. If I was an athlete, I would have gotten a Sports Center shout out and maybe a follow up once the training is complete. Since I am a teacher, I get the luxury of paying my way to New York, accommodating my room and board for the week, and the payment for the workshop. Thankfully, I have been really blessed with Donor's Choose throughout my career and was blessed to participate in a professional development pilot which has helped with the process. The struggle is real for educators who are seeking out opportunities to be better for themselves and the children they teach.
Most certainly, I dream of living in a world where education is spot lighted like athletics. Sadly, I think most teachers would settle for a world in which they are revered and respected.
“A coach is someone who tells you what you don't want to hear, who has you see what you don't want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.” - Tom Landry
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