Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

7 - Coaching & Miguel

7

Coaching & Miguel

Thursday, September 15

It was dry, sunny, and cloudless again. It was why Kevin, better at tennis than basketball, had chosen Southern California over his native San Francisco Bay Area. Less rain. It didn't hurt that he was an hour away from nature's ocean, mountains, or desert, either. The temperature rose, but in his air-conditioned classroom, it remained comfortable even when it was in the 90s outside, as was often the case during September.

Kevin listened to the morning bulletin being read over the public address system. He heard his announcement: "Tryouts for flag football begin Monday. Girls and boys in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades are eligible. All are guaranteed a place on the team if willing to help as practice squad members or managers, but only 12 will earn uniforms and playing time in games on the 8-person flag football teams. For details, talk to Mr. Watson out on the field during lunch today or tomorrow." Hope this encourages more to risk trying out.

He felt good about implementing the no-cut idea he got from Angela. On Monday, he would see what his talent pool looked like.

*****

He met with four more families that evening. Twice more, he worked through lies about homework. Kevin was amused. He smiled, thinking about why he was so interested in homework completion, recalling a Buena Vista student who brought a note from home explaining why her homework wasn't done. "Juanita didn't do her homework last night because she was sick. (Signed) -My Mom."

Children didn't change much between generations. He thought about the lyrics to an old song about kids, one that his parents used to sing as a joke. In the musical Bye Bye Birdie, the lyrics ask why today's kids weren't perfect like the prior generation, as if those kids' parents were angels as children. Not a chance!

But parents set the tone. He loved listening to the humor while hanging out with friends at his home growing up. Dad pretended to be irritated, "Why don't you kids go outside and play on the freeway?" My folks emphasized education. Some things never change. There is nothing wrong with kids today. They're not any different. Have similar issues. Still need love, direction, and guidance from adults at home and in school.

Like most children throughout history, they still looked for instant gratification, hence the trouble with homework. For some of his students, a high grade they'd earn at report card time was enough motivation. But many would choose whatever was fun or desirable right now. They might soon be drawn to parties, drugs, or sex at ages too young for them to make responsible choices.

I get it. I used to hate homework, preferring whatever was more fun in the short term. I'd say anything I needed to keep from doing it. But I have to try getting them hooked. It's my job to teach them that reading can be an end as well as a means, that they can love learning, and that gains in knowledge and skills are like developing muscles. Practice, like exercise, makes you stronger. School can help them increase their power. I just need to find a way to light a fire under each kid.

The last visit of the evening was to the home of Brendan Rivers. Kevin parked and rang the bell at 7:15. It was a small two-bedroom cottage, but the landscaping was beautiful, and the furnishings tasteful. There was a mini gallery of photos in the living room where they all sat. Looked like pictures of both sets of grandparents, and several of Brendan's own nuclear family. He immediately liked the parents, but was not surprised that they appeared tired. Tony Rivers had his own yard maintenance business and put in long hours. Brenda Rivers had a part-time job as a dietitian with a local hospital. They remained in their work outfits like they were too beat to change quite yet. Kevin's gut reaction was that they both felt overwhelmed by their only child's behavior.