So, what does it mean to "Play Like a Champion"? I recently had the privilege of listening to a very wise man speak on this topic. I started thinking about all the ways I do "play like a champion" and in all the ways I can step up my game and truly "Play Like a Champion."
A teacher takes on many roles. We are educator, parent, care-giver, coach, leader, confidant, cheer squad . . . the list is truly long. I started to think about all the ways that I am a coach to my students. I give them the best equipment, show them effective plays, walk them through the steps of the play over and over again until it is perfected . . . but even bigger than that, is my role as motivator. When a good coach motivates, he or she gets more effort from the team. A good coach can build you up and instill a sense of conquering the world! I take this role very seriously when working with the hearts and minds of these young adolescents. Because at the end of the day, the words I use and the motivation I instill, it really matters! In every role I play, it matters that I support, praise, build-up, cheer-on, and show approval. When a student has confidence, he has already won a part of the battle.
So, I am working hard to motivate my students to give their best effort in every element of their education. Give it all you've got . . . because the steps you take everyday, point you in one direction or another . . . and the direction you go really matters! So, I am playing like a champion as a teacher, and leading my students in the direction to play like champions in life . . . starting in the classroom.
