Dear Baseball Coach,
Did you ever take the time to know his name? Did you ever take the time to learn about him? Did you ever take the time to see what he could do? Did you ever take the time to talk to him about baseball?
If you had, you would have seen a young man who loves the game, knows the game and plays the game with his heart and soul every time that he steps out onto that field.
So why didn’t you?
Is he too small? Is he too quiet? What about him did you fail to see that others see? Did you have your mind set on who you wanted on the team that you failed to look at all the potential that was before you?
As an educator, I feel that a coach is in a similar position as a teacher. You can make or break a kid based on your actions, response and feelings towards the child. You have the power to make a difference in the younger generation. You have the power to lift one up or bring one down. I choose to be the positive force and bring out the best in my students. I choose to know my students and connect with them. I choose to provide hope. A hope that creates a belief in the child that he or she is worthy and important. That they matter and have the ability to dream big. I choose to give my students the chance to succeed. In my eyes, coaching is the same. When we are working with youth, we want them to feel that they can succeed and they can get better. We want them to feel that they matter and give them hope that they can do great things. It is in our hands……we can make or break a kid!
So coach, why didn’t you?
My son has the positive force at home that keeps pushing him. He has the support that keeps telling him to not give up. He has the growth mindset that tells him that he did not make it “yet” but he still can. He has the resources that help him to improve. He has a group of people who believe in him that keeps propelling him forward. He will not give up! He will keep trying! He knows that failure happens and he will work harder for success. So, no doubt, you will see him again. But this next time, I hope that you will really see him, get to know him, connect with him and learn about him.
My son is lucky to have the support to keep pushing him forward and not let him give up; BUT, not all kids do. What about those kids that do not have the support, positivity, belief and growth mindset? What do they do? What happens to them, Coach? Do we let them give up because you missed the opportunity to shine in their lives?
As an educator, as a coach, every student or player that walks in our path should have a chance. They should have a chance to show who they are and what they can do. We are in the position to make that difference.
You missed that chance the last three times, Coach. Don’t miss it again.
From,
A mom and educator who believes in the power of connection and making a difference