I will apologize to those of you who are not basketball fans. This blog has to do with basketball...again... Have you heard of Monmouth University? It is a small university in West Long Branch, New Jersey. About 6500 students attend the Division I university. That is tiny compared to the 12,700 that attend SDSU. Monmouth University's basketball team made an impression this year. They didn't make the NCAA tournament, but they have definitely become stars. http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/monmouth-universitys-bench-players-become-off-court-stars-2/
This grainy, almost VHS-like how to tape they made is GREAT!
PS: If you want, you can Google a TON of videos on their antics. As a bench warmer, you could just "ride the pine". Clap a little when a score is made...pretend to be interested in what is occurring. Or you could be like these guys...into the game...knowing that I may not be playing but I can contribute to this team in so many other ways that will positively lift their spirits and help lead them to victory. It reminds me of the conversations of "bystanders" when we talk with our students. When you see things getting tough, do you stand up for those around you? Or do you sit passively and just watch what happens? Do you cheer on those around you even when you are not "the star"? We all play a part in the success or failure of a team or group...whether you ride the pine or score all the points. I smile at what these young men are doing. They understand they have been granted a gift to be part of a Division I basketball program. Their hard work in the off season, as a practice player, and as a bench warmer has allowed others to find success. As teachers, we are somewhat like that. We do A LOT of things in the background that never make headlines, but contribute to the success of students or fellow staff members. Don't feel like you are just "riding the pine". Seize the opportunity to help those around you and know you made a difference.
It is March. I am not sure how we got here...the last day of the third quarter is today. It is crazy to think that. March will be a whirl wind, preparing us for the testing that comes with April and the anticipation that comes with May and the beginning of Summer break. March is when Spring is beginning to take shape...it causes us all to smile a little more and stretch our legs after the darkness and cold of Winter. March also bring basketball craziness. At the high school level, teams have competed in District, Region, and State championship games. At the professional level, teams are reaching the end of their seasons which began back in November. But the really crazies come out for college basketball. Conference tournaments, selection shows, Cinderella stories, the Big Dance...all phrases that describe the craziness of March in the world of NCAA basketball. I spent the past weekend and yesterday watching the Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls. It is amazing to see 10,000 people come together to watch really good and really exciting basketball. Fans stepping out in their team colors, ready to cheer on college athletes for a chance to play in the Big Dance. Between games yesterday, I began to think about these coaches bringing together kids (and let's face it...that is what they are...kids) from all over the US (and sometimes the world) and getting them to mesh as one. How do they do it? You have kids with different values, different religions, different learning styles, different family histories...and the coach must get them to become a family. A group that is working together for the achievement of a goal. And the amazing thing about those coaches...they don't focus just on the game of basketball...they are working to help their athletes become gifted in the game of life as well. When you type it all out, it sounds a lot like what we do every day here. We are taking kids from different backgrounds, with different learning styles, different values and work ethics and we place them in a room together. As a teacher, you work with them, you find methods to help them find success much like the way a coach develops plays to allow their team to score. And if the play doesn't work...you develop a new one. And perhaps another new one. You don't just focus on academics, you must also work with your students to help them develop the skills to be life longer learners and successful human beings. You too are also getting them ready for the Big Dance...which in their case is the world beyond EHS. Here is a blog on what teachers can learn from great coaches: http://www.wholechildeducation.org/blog/march-madness-what-teachers-can-learn-from-great-coaches Thanks for all you do.
