Last year, following Super Bowl weekend, I wrote a piece about how football relates to literature. This year, I have decided to share how football relates to good teaching and learning. This is a clip from this past week's episode of "30 for 30" on ESPN. The story of the champion Chicago Bears from 1985 is told in great detail, but I have posted here a short clip of Hall of Fame-linebacker Mike Singletary discussing his relationship with defensive coach Buddy Ryan. Take a look...
What Singletary did in his early days as an NFL player is what a lot of students in classrooms do. When a teacher hands back a bad grade or gets on kids for inadequate work, there is a tendency to believe the teacher doesn't like them or is just being intentionally mean. And when things get hard, many students want to find a way to make the situation easier or, sadly, even quit.
What most young people don't realize is that their teacher truly cares for them, but needs to push them to discomfort in order for them to respond with maximum effort. Teachers aren't mean; they are motivating. And a low grade is not an indictment of character; it's a reflection of what needs improvement. Too many students think talking back or declaring how right they think they are is a way to demonstrate intelligence. Yes, teachers are not perfect and some need to be corrected, but accepting criticism with a humble heart and patient attitude is the best way for students to learn and grow. The best answer a student can provide when faced with a tough teacher is Singletary's "Yes, sir." And if the formality is too intimidating, any variation of "I understand," "I'll keep working on it," or just "Okay" will certainly suffice.
A teacher's fundamental role is to to offer students guidance. They just have to be willing to accept it. Once they do, they will not only realize the power of the mentoring relationship when it comes to their academics, but they will probably forge a sincere friendship.
Here's to tough teachers and tough students. We need a lot more of both.
What most young people don't realize is that their teacher truly cares for them, but needs to push them to discomfort in order for them to respond with maximum effort. Teachers aren't mean; they are motivating. And a low grade is not an indictment of character; it's a reflection of what needs improvement. Too many students think talking back or declaring how right they think they are is a way to demonstrate intelligence. Yes, teachers are not perfect and some need to be corrected, but accepting criticism with a humble heart and patient attitude is the best way for students to learn and grow. The best answer a student can provide when faced with a tough teacher is Singletary's "Yes, sir." And if the formality is too intimidating, any variation of "I understand," "I'll keep working on it," or just "Okay" will certainly suffice.
A teacher's fundamental role is to to offer students guidance. They just have to be willing to accept it. Once they do, they will not only realize the power of the mentoring relationship when it comes to their academics, but they will probably forge a sincere friendship.
Here's to tough teachers and tough students. We need a lot more of both.