Coach

Tomorrow concludes my residency as PE Teacher at Parkside Middle School. It's been three weeks of steady work, getting up each day at 6:15am, and dare I say it, almost getting into a routine again. My jumper has been pretty wet lately, I've been keeping a consistent sweat throughout most days, but most importantly I actually enjoy working with the kids. And, yes, some of them have began calling me "Coach." Ha.

You'd be amazed at how many of these middle schoolers don't give a flying f*ck about anything. Literally, almost a handful of kids each class will receive an "F" this quarter. In Gym class! Their grade is made up of three parts: attitude, participation and bringing a change of clothes. Not bringing clothes is probably the biggest downfall of the students, but usually all three go hand in hand. No clothes and a piss poor attitude will usually lead to lack of participation. Back in my day, I'd never dream of telling a teacher to "f off", but these days its almost commonplace. F'n wild.

Its now been three weeks and I can say that I've been putting in a consistent effort to get the "troubled" kids to bring their clothes and participate. I began this stint right at the beginning of the quarter, and over the first couple days I took note of the students who didn't give a sh*t and just sat on the bleachers while the rest of the class particpated. I began to approach each student individually and attempt to talk to them...to find out what their deal was. I explained that PE Class very well might be the easiest "A" of their lives...and if their other grades suffered, an "A" in PE would certainly help boost their GPA. And I also explained that middle school is a little too early to "cash out" on school, or on life in general. That, even if things at home or wherever sucked, to use Gym class as an escape. Come in, run around for a half hour...and I guarantee you'll feel better.

And I'm happy to say that most of the students responded to me. You see, many of the students in question come from "broken" homes...to put it politely. Latchkey kids would be a polite way of describing them. Parents younger than I am, exposing their children to drugs, booze, abuse on a daily basis. Stuff I couldn't even imagine happening to me in middle school. I would try to keep this in mind as I spoke to these kids, and call me naive, but I think some of them appreciated my efforts, and also appreciated hearing/seeing a young, positive male influence. And they made a difference to me. Each night I found myself thinking about certain students, hoping they'd bring clothes and put in an effort the next day in class. And it's not even about bringing a change of clothes, it's about showing a little responsibility. Taking a little initiative. Knowing that I specifically told them to do something, and feeling the satisfaction of them doing it. And I have gotten feedback that the kids like me, "wishing I was their teacher on a permanent basis..." which definitely makes me feel good.

Anyway, as I have said, I really enjoyed my time as PE Teacher. I found it a unique way to connect/get through to the kids...after all, I always found PE the easiest, most fun class. But I am/was always an athlete so I relished the chance to run around during the school day. Now, being on the other end of it, I appreciate so much more what my old teachers went through. And part of me wishes I could continue my run as PE Teacher....

But, hey, who knows what opportunities the future may hold...