Insomnia (or just a lousy sleep pattern) can really get your mind thinking. It doesn't always produce the best thoughts but once in a while you get a fond memory right in the front line. This is what happened tonight. This one actually got me out of bed because I have found the problem with the American Education System! (No, it is not the teachers' fault that your kid isn't learning anything.) But there is a story to be told.
I have had great teachers from kindergarten to present. I can honestly tell you that out of my 22 years as a student I only had three "lousy" teachers who, might I add, were not a part of my public education. Other than those three, there are countless amount of teachers that have impacted my life in a positive way. I am sure that most of you reading this know that I have a BA in English but this story isn't about an awesome English teacher (btw all of mine were FAB and did impact my life). This story is about my gym teacher at Neil Armstrong. How about that for a twist?
As most of you probably know I am not, you know, the most abled bodied person. When I was a kid gym class was quite a drag because for the most part I'd watch the kids play volleyball or something like that from the stage (our gym was also where the stage was) and it was just boring and kind of like, ah, rub in your face deal. Of course, that was never the intention, I just needed to be with my class and this was before adaptive phys ed invaded my life. So once or twice a week I'd spend an hour in the gym, do what I could and watch what I couldn't (do).
My teacher, Mr. O'Hern? was a funny guy. He always reminded me of the host of "Supermarket Sweep" and was always totally cool to kids. I always remember him being nice to me. Because of him, I don't really have crap memories of gym. Besides that volleyball thing but I think that's because I really wanted to play and be like everyone on 90210. However, when my friends were all playing basketball I paid close attention. I loved basketball and it is just bewildering to me to this day. (If only MJ would come back and be awesome.)
I am losing track (it's 4 in the morning). So I don't have a before or after of this memory. I don't know what led to this or what really happened when it was over. I just remember the event. Yes, event. I remember Mr. O'Hern just saying, "Come on. I'll help you." He picked me up. He told someone, I don't remember what classmate, to hand me the ball. I took it. Then, Mr. O'Hern lifted me up higher so I could reach the basket and, ladies and gentlemen, I made my first and only slam dunk. This teacher, by breaking all of the modern school policies, impacted my life by showing me I could do the impossible! That is pretty flipping awesome.
If the slam dunk of the universe were to happen today, Susie's mom would sue the teacher, the school, the district, and the company who made the basketball for putting Susie's life at risk or even more dramatic saying she suffered severe emotional trauma because Susie is afraid of heights. Oh, how can I forget? Everyone would be sued just for the fact that Teacher X touched Susie in a completely innocent manner. So I mean it's not that teachers are the problem. The fact that teachers' hands are tied from the get go is the problem. Teachers are no longer able to connect with students. How can we expect students to succeed when we are drilling them for tests that are rubbish and can't so much as crack a joke with them from January to the end of PSSA time?
Maybe it's me. I don't know. But I do know that I don't remember a thing about taking the PSSA's except trying to hurry through them so I can take a nap before the next section. Huge impact, right? Wrong. The huge impact was the teacher who took time to assist me make a slam dunk. That memory bopped me out of bed - 3,200 miles away from the school and almost 20 years after its creation. That is making an impact in a student's life.
I hope all of my readers who are teachers can help a kid make a slam dunk today. Break the rules. Take the chance. Go above and beyond. Swish*.
Swish is the sound effect that a basketball net makes as the ball goes through. I think. I'm an English teacher who is studying The Beatles in England. What the flip do I know about basketball sound effects?
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