I have a fairly strong memory, especially for conversation and events. Sometimes, that is a true blessing. Sometimes, it can drive me nuts. Sometimes, it can do both.
One Sunday afternoon during football coaches' meetings one recent fall, we discussed how poorly a group was playing. It may have been offensive linemen taking the wrong steps, defensive backs not making reads, or linebackers continually going under blocks. That does not really matter. What matters is that they just kept doing "it" wrong. They did not seem to get it. Darn kids!
I remember what Coach Warner said as we broke up the meeting to prepare as offensive and defensive staffs for the next week. "If they are not doing it right, then that is our fault. They're kids. We're coaches. It's our job to coach them up."
Today, I was incredibly frustrated with one of my classes. They just are not getting it. They are not responding to what we are doing in class the way I want them to react. Don't get me wrong: some of them are rocking it. They are rolling with what we are doing, they are learning the process, and they are learn from the process. But the others? They are not. They will not write for this project. When they do, they are not taking what we have learned and applying it. They keep asking the same questions, and they keep making the same mistakes. And I am getting frustrated!
And I deserve to feel frustrated. I truly do. I have that right. I should be frustrated. WITH MYSELF.
All I wanted to do was grind my teeth and wallow in self-pity. But no. For whatever reason, our coaches' meeting discussion popped into my mind tonight. "It's our job to coach them up." Well, shoot. If they are not getting it, that is my fault.
Here is the amazing thing. As soon as I thought about it, ideas started to turn over in my mind. Within five minutes, instead of a clinched jaw and simmering frustration, I had ideas of what I can do as we move forward. Some are ideas I have been holding on to, some are great ones that I have stolen, and one might actually be new, or new to me anyway. All of them are positive and can move us in the right direction. They can help us all learn.
And that, my friends, is win.
