This weekend I attended a wedding in the town I began a long teaching and coaching career. As the wedding party was introduced, I felt like it was 1999 again. The wedding party was similar to the line-up card I would fill-out each day prior a ball game. My starting CF, Catcher, DH, 1b, P and a couple of role-players were in the wedding party. As each member was announced, I was expecting to hear the voice of Terry Klein saying...."Now batting, number........" It was great to see many of them together again. As the evening continued, I was visited by other baseball players - some from other years and teams as well. Eventually I made my way to the "younger" side of the reception hall and ran into 2/3rds of the Power I backfield that led my JV football team to an 8-0 record with pure power football. It. That team was so talented, I only had to find a way to share the ball with 5+ outstanding players. Other football players, basketball players, and history students were on that side of the room as well. Of course, these "kids" were now 28,29,30 years of age. We visited about their lives since their playing days and their families and mutual memories from "back in the day." I was also able to reconnect with great parents who allowed me the chance to build relationships with their kids as a coach and teacher. This weekend was a great reminder of why I entered this profession 16 years ago - to build positive relationships with students and athletes and provide them an opportunity to reach their highest potential in the classroom, on the field and diamond, and in their own personal lives. Coaching and teaching are both easy for those outside of it to criticize, but if you put your time in and put relationships first - you can make a positive impression on most of your students and players. Nights like Saturday easily prove that many of the relationships and impacts are long lasting.
Have a great week.
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