Reform

Above is a video about school reform in the washington D.C area. These school teachers have realized that a change is in order and that it has to happen now. Like most social changes in history it isn't going to happen over night. It is going to take a nation wide commitment on all adults parts. It isn't just up to the teachers; it is up to all adults to be role models and advocates of proper education in these young minds. As an aspiring educator i am willing to make a change and be apart of that because we are in the business for children. That is something that we should never loose sight of.

Points to Ponder

The role of athletics plays a major role in modern day society. Parents are always urging their children to participate and get involved in sports teams in some way or another. Parents are such advocates of athletics because there are so many beneficial elements to sports. Organized athletics should provide children and young adults with a safe and healthy environment where they can learn the related sport skills as well as life lessons. I am a firm believer in that there is so much more to athletics than meets the eye. Sports teams can teach players life long lessons like team cooperation, respect for all aspects of the unit, and an overall appreciation for hard work. Yes as a coach you are their to guide your players in the quest for perfection but along the way players will realize that perfection is unobtainable. It is the job of the coach to make the players realize that you can always strive for it though. Athletic teams give students athletes the opportunity maintain a higher level of responsibility as to there peers who aren't members of a sports team. Student athletes are expected to balance course work as well as practice time, this is where student athletes learn the importance of time management. Sports teams also provide players with a strengthened sense of accountability, not only on the playing fields but in the classrooms and in the community as well. It is the job of the coach to be a role model for their players and to guide them in the righteous path of success.

Poll

How young is too young?

It seems that young children are getting involved in organized sports at a younger age each and every passing year. These children are being placed on sports teams at the age of four years old and in some instances even as young as three years old. I see the justification that parents may have for placing their son/daughter on a sports team at such a young age. They provide great socialization aspect for children, gets child active while having fun, shows the importance of teamwork. I think the most import aspect of youth sports is that an emphasis is placed on enjoyment of the sport. It is crucial that children are having fun at all times during practice and competition. Unfortunately some parents lose sight of these reasons for involving their son or daughter in youth sports. Some parents will force sports upon children just because they think their child may be good at it or even worse just because they played that particular sport. In both these cases parents are pressuring children to be involved in a sport that the child may not really enjoy. I believe that if a child wants to play a sport than he/she should show noticeable interest in that sport before a parent goes and signs them up for a organized sports team. Unfortunately youth sports are a business and it isn't just about the kids in most cases it is about making money. Organizations like the AAU say they will increase your likelihood of being recruited based on exposure. A lot of people buy into this and pay ridiculous fees and entrance payments just to enter the tournaments. Yes there is a better chance to play tougher competition but when the conferences are saturated you are just being placed in skill groups equal to your teams ability. So essentially you are paying obsered amounts of money to play competition equal to what you could play in your town or the neighboring towns. In my opinion you don't need to pay for your child to be on an elite travel team have them practice and practice and when there done practicing then you can enter them in these tournaments where there is better competition. Some will argue than your player won't get the exposure. Trust me if your good enough to play at the next level when that time comes than they will find you that is their job. As for these families who are spending hours away from the home due to practice and competition, i admire their commitment but i think it is unnecessary and a waste of money. Although the family in the video was limited by competition in their surrounding areas so they had no choice but to travel. I think it is worth it because that boy truly seemed to enjoy gymnastics and he did appreciate all his family did for him even though he was only eleven years old. overall youth sports programs should be their for the enjoyment of the children not for the exploitation of parents who try to live through the sports careers of their children. Pressure should never be placed on children to play a sport but if the child chooses to play that sport than I have no problem expecting them to give there best effort. That is where I would apply pressure upon my child or player to expect optimal levels of effort not based on skill or performance that will come with time. Please take the time to fill out this quick and easy poll, or feel free to comment.

A fine line

After watching that video I was shocked that this coach struck a player to that degree. Throughout my years of being actively involved in organized sports. I have had my share of different coaches, each with there own individual styles of coaching. I have never experienced an instance like this where a coach actually charges a player challenging the player physically. I have witnessed a coach placing there hands on a player in a firmly manner during an instructional session, but never actually attacking a player. I think that is was totally uncalled for on the coach's part. It was as if the coach lost it and had no control over himself. If I was in an administration position I would definitely suspend the coach for a short period and then a meeting would occur between the players and the coach. Permanent termination of the coach would be based on his past if there were any allegations or other issues this would be the last straw. I believe in coaching their is a fine line between being aggressive to get a point across and then there is the other side where you've gone too far. This is a situation where the coach crossed that ethical line and even the criminal line. The player has filled out a police report of the assault. The school has yet to comment on the situation and is doing an investigation of their own. As a player I think I would be able to return to practice and play for the coach even though he crossed that fine line. A proper apology would be in order but I think i could return to the court. Im not sure if every one could return to play after a situation of this degree.

Bullying

Bullying has been an accepted school tradition for decades. Usually in the forms of gossip by girls or physical bullying by boys. Now in the 21st century we have cyber bullying, which has spread like wild fire as technology has grown tremendously over the years. Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and texting are now another avenue to bully. Cyber bullying consists of tormenting, threatening, harassing, or embarrassing another individual. It is usually not a one time communication but something that persists over and over. The effects of cyber bullying are depression, anxiety, and sometimes even death. Students seem to be doing this more often to get a reaction from their peers or because they are bored. Some cyber bullying comes from frustration or anger. More and more schools are now offering training on how to deal and prevent cyber bullying. Schools are educating students about how to think before reacting to a post on the internet and that words can and will hurt a peer. Just another issue that needs to be addressed in our educational systems.

Spoon Fed America

"Where are we going and why are we in this hand-basket" agree with this statement that we are going along for a ride. We as educators who are traditionally in the drivers seat of education have been put in the back seat. It seams that today's classroom isn't guided by the teachers better judgement but by the recommendations and input of parents. I think she brings up valid points in regards to parent involvement and views on their student learning. Normally when a teacher has a problem with a student a parent would traditionally back the teacher, because the teacher is an authority figure that demands respect from the student. Although that is not the case the parent or guardian will immediately side with their student thinking that the teacher is in the wrong and that they need to fix what they are doing and not their child's behavior. This is not the case always but teachers everyday are being scrutinized for actions that they have taken but when it comes down to it; that parents aren't trusting the better judgment of another professional adult. I don't agree with the fact that this woman aired out her dirty laundry out for everyone to view even though she didn't reveille any names or the actual school. This was very unprofessional of her and a suspension is relevant but i don't think termination is the proper course of action that should be taken. When you step away from the issue of using real life instances from her classroom she brings up valid points that students are lazy and that their parents have their back in what ever they say or do. I think there could be a positive to come out of this to make administration fellow teachers and even parents aware that is isn't okay to spoon feed these students that they have to be accountable for their actions. We must restore the values back into educators give them back the drivers seat. Have the parents sit back and go along for the ride. Im not saying that parents shouldn't be involved in their child's education because they most certainly should. Its okay to give advice here and their but when it comes down to it your child's teacher will be with your son/daughter for a good portion of the day and as a educator they will provide the healthiest and most productive environment for that child to excel in learning. They aren't in the profession to hold back your son or daughter they are their to prosper learning. Parents of today have to except that and go with the plan of the teacher.