Natural Path Into Education
Many of us started our career in education first as a coach. I know the defining moment for me in choosing to become an educator was my third year of college. I had already completed the 2 year degree at the community college and was sneaking in another semester of credits. I remember the conversation my mom had with me. She said “Andi, what are you going to do with your life? They’re not going to let you take anymore credits. You need to transfer to a 4 year school.” I looked at where my experiences were, and they were all with kids between teaching spanish, coaching, and tutoring. Education appeared like a natural fit. I took a lot of science and math my first few years and then finally decided to transfer to UW-Whitewater to major in Biology and education.
Relationships with kids always came naturally for me. I enjoyed coaching and that carried into teaching, but what I missed along the way was that coaching and teaching are very much one in the same. I saw them as different, yet there’s so much that carries over. For the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to pioneer leading the Lake Country Lutheran Varsity Softball program, an opportunity only a few get the opportunity to experience in their lifetime. Upon graduating college, I was offered the opportunity to start the LCL softball program. That seemed like a huge task, but I was confident I could do it because I was still surrounded by some of my best coaches. I was surrounded by a bit of doubt however, from my family. I remember my mom telling me that I wasn't qualified to take on such a responsibility.
It really was a terrible situation in high school that I ran into as a player that is really the reason that I am still coaching today, and gives me some of my drive to become a better coach. How did I get through that terrible situation called high school politics and sports? It was because I surrounded myself with people that believed in me. These two gentleman to the right are my mentors, greatest fans, and biggest supporters. Today I am truly blessed with the opportunity to have them coach by my side. They have become much more than my former coaches. They are family to me.
Relationships with kids always came naturally for me. I enjoyed coaching and that carried into teaching, but what I missed along the way was that coaching and teaching are very much one in the same. I saw them as different, yet there’s so much that carries over. For the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to pioneer leading the Lake Country Lutheran Varsity Softball program, an opportunity only a few get the opportunity to experience in their lifetime. Upon graduating college, I was offered the opportunity to start the LCL softball program. That seemed like a huge task, but I was confident I could do it because I was still surrounded by some of my best coaches. I was surrounded by a bit of doubt however, from my family. I remember my mom telling me that I wasn't qualified to take on such a responsibility.
It really was a terrible situation in high school that I ran into as a player that is really the reason that I am still coaching today, and gives me some of my drive to become a better coach. How did I get through that terrible situation called high school politics and sports? It was because I surrounded myself with people that believed in me. These two gentleman to the right are my mentors, greatest fans, and biggest supporters. Today I am truly blessed with the opportunity to have them coach by my side. They have become much more than my former coaches. They are family to me.
.JPG)
Comments
Post a Comment