Today as I get ready for an outing to go meet up with two former students/players of mine for lunch (who are now seniors- yikes! I feel old), I can't help but think of a very important person from my childhood. Coach Miller.
It cracks me up that these girls are so insistent on seeing me, and wanting to babysit Nolan, etc. and I think, "I was their Middle School Teacher and Basketball Coach! Do they really think I'm that cool??"
But today, I caught myself recalling what an inspirational figure my favorite coach from Middle School was in my life. Those of you who had the experience of being on a team coached by Perry Miller I know we'll agree that he was truly a great person.
He was at first my elementary P.E. coach. I was such an overly shy little girl in my elementary years, and for some reason I always clung on to Coach Miller and Coach Dufelmeier (another amazing coach/ teacher). At a young age, I already showed to have a "knack" when it came to basketball I guess, and Both Coach Duf and Coach Miller right away pushed me to play basketball and work on it every time they gave us a "free day" for P.E.
Before I knew it, Coach Miller had me "manager," a.k.a. "glorified water girl" for every level of girls basketball in Havana. I became a little gym rat and spent every second I could in a gym. He took my to my first Illinois Basketball Game, sent me to "Dick Baumgartner's Shooting Camp" every summer, and took care of me whenever I needed it.
I actually remember one of my first time's going away to camp as a little girl. I was super scared and homesick, and he knew it. He took me over to a high school dorm, and made two of the older girls bunk with me for a couple nights to make sure I was taken care of. (Thank you Sheridan Lane and Jessica Stadsholt)
Anyway, I guess where I am going with this is that he really was a "Coach." Coaching is so much more than just training good athletes and knowing who to have on the court and what offenses and defenses to run. Coaching is about creating a "Team." Teaching kids to love a sport and apply it to life and everything else they do. Coach Miller in my eyes was just that! He taught me to love the game of basketball, but to also love all the other blessings in life like friends and family.
We prayed together as a team before every game, and he often times provided his players with quotes and letters before games, focusing in on what goals for that night we wanted to accomplish.
Coach Miller deserves a write up in a paper, but I figured my blog would do for today ;) I don't really know exactly what he's up to today, but I do know I watched his oldest son play on T.V. in the IHSA state tournament a year ago- Very Cool!
So a BIG Thank You to Coach Miller! I find myself applying so much that I learned from him in both my teaching and coaching! I hope anyone else who had the opporunity to know him can maybe read this today and smile back on what a great person he was!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Roots
My summer break this year has been the best I've ever had... For obvious reasons. I, for one, can't put into words how awesome it has been to spend every day with Nolan. He changes so much just in one week or even one day, and to be his primary care giver, and there for every minute, has been an experience I am so grateful to have.
This brings with it some guilt and anxiety though, about having to leave him again come mid-August. I then quickly remind myself that I do get to leave him with Hilary, and I couldn't be luckier, and I also am quickly reminded of how much I do love to teach. And I try to think about the purpose of me doing what I do for a reason each year. God has a plan- it's nice to reflect on each school year and point out those specific moments and struggles that some of my students face. I am so glad to have been there at times in the past for some of my former students. I also take with me so much that I learn from the kids each year as well.
This year is also a special summer for me as it is much LONGER! After having the opportunity to take a position teaching at the new elementary school here in Chatham, I am leaving the balanced calendar schedule in Riverton. I know there are going to be pros and cons to this, however, I am soaking up this extended summer to it's fullest. In the past, I would have been to a couple trainings here and there, some meetings, a mini-vacation, and then it would be time to head back to work at the end of July. This year though, I don't have students until August 17th. I can't even even get keys to my new classroom until the end of July! Funny how things work out. All this change has forced me to finally RELAX. Something I haven't done in a long time. I'm spending my days right now playing with Nolan, cleaning house, cooking meals, and spending time with friends and family. This leads me to the realization as to why am I happier then I've ever been?
I've realized it's all about me finally having the chance to "plant some roots." This move to Chatham, along with my career move has been such an emotional transition. Emotion from leaving the first house I had with Shane... Leaving my co-workers at Riverton who were my second family. I now realize though, that It's such a great feeling knowing I am going to raise Nolan here. Knowing that I'm teaching in the same building that Nolan will go to school in, and being able to call this place my home. I'm planting my roots, and boy does it feel good! I'm very nervous about where this year will take me, but also excited as I know it's another step in the right direction!
This brings with it some guilt and anxiety though, about having to leave him again come mid-August. I then quickly remind myself that I do get to leave him with Hilary, and I couldn't be luckier, and I also am quickly reminded of how much I do love to teach. And I try to think about the purpose of me doing what I do for a reason each year. God has a plan- it's nice to reflect on each school year and point out those specific moments and struggles that some of my students face. I am so glad to have been there at times in the past for some of my former students. I also take with me so much that I learn from the kids each year as well.
This year is also a special summer for me as it is much LONGER! After having the opportunity to take a position teaching at the new elementary school here in Chatham, I am leaving the balanced calendar schedule in Riverton. I know there are going to be pros and cons to this, however, I am soaking up this extended summer to it's fullest. In the past, I would have been to a couple trainings here and there, some meetings, a mini-vacation, and then it would be time to head back to work at the end of July. This year though, I don't have students until August 17th. I can't even even get keys to my new classroom until the end of July! Funny how things work out. All this change has forced me to finally RELAX. Something I haven't done in a long time. I'm spending my days right now playing with Nolan, cleaning house, cooking meals, and spending time with friends and family. This leads me to the realization as to why am I happier then I've ever been?
I've realized it's all about me finally having the chance to "plant some roots." This move to Chatham, along with my career move has been such an emotional transition. Emotion from leaving the first house I had with Shane... Leaving my co-workers at Riverton who were my second family. I now realize though, that It's such a great feeling knowing I am going to raise Nolan here. Knowing that I'm teaching in the same building that Nolan will go to school in, and being able to call this place my home. I'm planting my roots, and boy does it feel good! I'm very nervous about where this year will take me, but also excited as I know it's another step in the right direction!
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