I have had the opportunity to coach the girls' 7th and 8th grade soccer team, which is a dream that I've always had since I was in high school. Soccer was my main focus in athletics throughout my entire life. It is especially delightful to not only work with students in class, but outside of the classroom as well. As an educator it is important to see one's students in a variety of environments - all of which include determination, learning, diligence, and naturally, enjoyment! As I have coached the girls this year, I not only had the opportunity to meet students who I have not taught, but we built relationships out of respect and understanding for each other. As a coach I told the girls the high expectations for myself and for them during the season, and post-season as well. The students shared their own expectations, what they wanted to improve upon this season, what positions they would like to try, and ways they could grow together and unite as a team. We take practices and games seriously and often work hard enough to become utterly exhausted, but the end of the day smiles are covering the field.
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Coaching the boys' and girls' track team has been a rewarding experience! For the past two years I have had this incredible opportunity to coach the middle school boys and girls in a myriad of competitive track and field events. Something that I find remarkable as I coach is how the student athletes challenge themselves to constantly beat their own record. Not only are they competitive with other teams, but with their main opposition - themselves! Whether the student athletes are sprinting, jumping over hurdles, attempting to excel in the high jump or shot-put, or pacing themselves in long distance races, the look in their eyes at the end of their event is worth all of the hard work and obstacles along the way! I enjoy getting to work with both the boys and the girls - they definitely challenge each other and grow from one another. I have also grown as a coach learning from each individual student.
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Overall, coaching has added to my growth and development as a teacher. Athletics encapsulates a different side of the student that one may not always get to see. I consider myself fortunate enough to get to work with these student-athletes and learn from them. Coaching is similar to teaching in many ways. Differentiation is involved in each sport in order to best meet the students' needs. By working with different positions in soccer, creating drills that focus on specific aspects of the game, and giving students multiple forms to accomplish one goal are elements of how I differentiate on the field. Similarly in track and field, students get to choose at most three events to compete in. During practice, specific drills and activities give students the opportunity to try each event, improve on the ones they are focusing on, and continue to thrive in their personal skills.
Immediate feedback is also an element that is extremely important in both teaching and coaching. As an English teacher, when students are working, I try my best to give them immediate feedback so they can apply that constructive criticism to their work as soon as possible. As a coach, the same idea applies. When I am coaching while the students are playing soccer, they are able to listen to my feedback and either move to a certain area for their position, get composure on the ball, use a certain side of their foot to kick, etc. During track, students not only hear the coaching tips to "drop your shoulders" or "take longer strides," but they also get their racing times, high jump heights, and distance throws immediately. This way they know exactly how they did and what they must do to improve next time.
Collaboration is also one aspect that I especially love when coaching! Coaching each sport has allowed me to meet individuals I may not have otherwise had the chance to meet. For example, the assistant coach who works with me on the track team, Kelly Hilt, works at the elementary school. Due to coaching, I've had the opportunity to not only meet her, but also create a friendship and learn coaching skills from her. Two brains are better than one; in the case of coaching, this is certainly true. Through soccer, I've had the opportunity to work with the boys' middle school coach and the high school Varsity coaches. This "teamwork" within Oyster Bay has helped me grow as a coach and a teacher, and I am excited to continue developing to my best ability so I can give the student-athletes an incredible athletic experience.
Immediate feedback is also an element that is extremely important in both teaching and coaching. As an English teacher, when students are working, I try my best to give them immediate feedback so they can apply that constructive criticism to their work as soon as possible. As a coach, the same idea applies. When I am coaching while the students are playing soccer, they are able to listen to my feedback and either move to a certain area for their position, get composure on the ball, use a certain side of their foot to kick, etc. During track, students not only hear the coaching tips to "drop your shoulders" or "take longer strides," but they also get their racing times, high jump heights, and distance throws immediately. This way they know exactly how they did and what they must do to improve next time.
Collaboration is also one aspect that I especially love when coaching! Coaching each sport has allowed me to meet individuals I may not have otherwise had the chance to meet. For example, the assistant coach who works with me on the track team, Kelly Hilt, works at the elementary school. Due to coaching, I've had the opportunity to not only meet her, but also create a friendship and learn coaching skills from her. Two brains are better than one; in the case of coaching, this is certainly true. Through soccer, I've had the opportunity to work with the boys' middle school coach and the high school Varsity coaches. This "teamwork" within Oyster Bay has helped me grow as a coach and a teacher, and I am excited to continue developing to my best ability so I can give the student-athletes an incredible athletic experience.