I had this really grouchy, ugly slice ready to go. It’s been a terrible day from about the start of the school day to where we are right now.
However, I read an article about Iowa men’s basketball (go figure) titled “End of Baer era hurts as much as final defeat“. Nicholas Baer went from walk-on at the University of Iowa to six man and the true heartbeat of the team. His heart, his drive, his willingness to do what it took for the team will be sorely missed.
As read this article and the various players who talked about Nicholas, I was struck how similar it was to an article I read on Sunday about the Iowa women’s team (No way!). Hannah Stewart, a senior said:
“I think it’s cool to prove to people that no matter where you’re from as long as you go play basketball, play together and love each other, you can be successful.”
“Play together and love each other, you can be successful.”
Why the hell not??
So, as my mood is still pretty sour, it’s becoming better as I write this slice. You all know, it’s about the relationships you create on your teams, whether it be basketball, music, 4-H, or your classroom. I love that with the success of our college teams, these articles come forward, talking about the fact it’s more than the game, it’s about grit, determination, and caring about those around you. This can happen ANYWHERE, not just a court, a field, or a track. Really, anywhere!
So why is it so flipping hard to create this family, this workplace of caring, these classrooms of caring? Why is it so hard for teachers to show they care about their students? Any why is it so hard for students to believe their teachers care about them?
Why can’t we play together, care about each other, and be successful??
All questions I cannot answer. Can you? 🙂
The Life of a Conflicted Teacher 
March 27, 2019 at 4:41 am
Sometimes it might be that people have an expression problem. They really don’t know how to express gratitude or joy to others. Sometimes perhaps preconceived thinking clouds actions. It’s really a miracle when it all works out. Maybe we should just look for bright spots and celebrate them.
March 27, 2019 at 11:13 am
>Maybe we should just look for bright spots and celebrate them.<
That's my weak spot. I'm not a good celebrator! 🙂
March 27, 2019 at 4:30 pm
I think you can be. Think I’m not a good celebrator yet.
March 27, 2019 at 6:44 am
I wonder the same thing, all the time. It’s so hard sometimes to walk around believing that there are people around who will do anything and say anything to make it more difficult to be around. I am part of our 5210 wellness team in our district and we had a similar discussion last night at our meeting, however it was more geared toward teachers and admin not taking a chance on new ideas to improve, but it kind of boiled down to not working together to be successful. I guess, for now, we continue to ask that question, wonder, and hope at least we are making a difference somewhere with someone!
March 27, 2019 at 11:11 am
Today, I forgot about our “NFV Cares” meeting, similar to your wellness team! Ugh! However, I agree, it boils down to not working together to be successful! I am lucky to be where I am as a district, but we have our own issues!
On a whole different topic, what is 5210? I’m curious! 🙂
March 27, 2019 at 11:21 am
“5210 Let’s Go!” is our Wellness Program in Maine! Maybe it’s not nationally known? the 5 stands for 5 fruits and vegetables daily, the 2 stands for 2 hours or less of screen time daily, the 1 stands for 1 hour or more of physical activity daily, and 0 is 0 sugary drinks! The wellness teams comes up with one thing a month to focus on- one month is water in take, another is healthy snack trying, another is movement (all of this is tracked in the classrooms). If you search the “5210 Lets go!” program you should find some info about it and how to make your school a “5210 school” (we are not there yet but we are trying to! being a 5210 school means like, no cake/cup cakes and such for kids birthday treats or staff treats, having so many staff participate in physical activities- things like that. It’s pretty “intensive” when you think about it and really dive in to it- but it’s been “Achieved” at schools so I know it’s possible! (however, I don’t think I really want to give up my chocolate stash!! 🙂 )
March 27, 2019 at 7:41 am
Those are some powerful thought provoking questions that might even make for some good compositions when given to the students. Love the athlete’s quote! That would be a good poster for the classroom. Have an awesome day! 🙂
March 27, 2019 at 11:09 am
We are trying with the awesome day! I’d be so happy with a great day or even a good day! LOL!! That idea of giving these questions to the students, that just might happen here soon! 🙂 Thank you!
March 27, 2019 at 9:13 am
“I think it’s cool to prove to people that no matter where you’re from as long as you go play basketball, play together and love each other, you can be successful.” I love this quote.
The school district my daughters attended actually had a superintendent against the idea of forming relationships with the students. It was so bad that when they hired their new superintendent he actually brought in a professional and required everyone in the district (certified staff, kitchen, para-educators, bus, drivers, maintenance, etc) to attend training on building relationships with students. I sat back and laughed that they actually had to be trained on how to do this.
March 27, 2019 at 9:51 am
But, the problem was recognized and changed. That’s progress! It’s disappointing to me that we still have people who don’t recognize this is SO important! 🙂
March 29, 2019 at 7:36 am
I think there is so much pressure on test scores and covering curriculum that many of us (or maybe it’s just me) get so overwhelmed by trying to fit everything in. This leaves us with little time to forge those relationships, which is a big mistake. I have one student who constantly comes up to me and says, “Can I tell you something?” I always make time to listen because I know he really needs me to. But so do the other kids. How do I make time for them all? It’s something I grapple with. I appreciate the honesty of your slice and the thought-provoking questions.
March 29, 2019 at 11:58 am
>“Can I tell you something?”<
Goodness, if I had a nickel for each time I hear that question! However, we listen, we make time because it's the right thing to do. Then, we sprint to the bathroom because the story took up all the passing time between classes! 😀