“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
- John Wooden
When I consider my own teaching philosophy, it’s easy for me to boil it down into a simple statement: teaching is coaching. The tools, tips, techniques, and traits required for being successful in school are the same for being successful in sports and in life. The most comprehensive model of this fact is the Pyramid of Success, created by the long-time, extremely successful, and hardworking coach John Wooden. This pyramid was carefully constructed by Wooden over years of practical application, careful observation, and vigilant adjusting of the system. I stumbled upon this pyramid and it’s deeply applicable meaning for life success. Each day that I step into the classroom for teaching or onto the football field for coaching, I am always working my hardest to model each and every trait within this system of success. My hope is that by modeling these traits and expressing their importance to my students they will see the value in striving for success through self-improvement with each choice and action.
The basis of my pedagogical technique is academic engagement. If I am expecting my students to engage with academics, I need to work my hardest to make each lesson exactly that, engaging. Each day I expect my students to be respectful because that is the most critical first step towards establishing classroom engagement. I believe in creating engagement by challenging students to be industrious, take initiative, apply self-control, and interact with ELA activities with the intent of becoming an improved listener, speaker, reader, and writer. The point that I stress to my students in each activity during each class, constant effort towards improvement is the ultimate resource for personal success in all things.
I know that as I continue my teaching career I will greatly improve my pedagogical techniques. This year I learned that I am extremely capable of performing the role of teacher for each of my students. No matter the past or previous experiences, each student will be greeted with a smile and an opportunity to self-improve by engaging with the reading and writing process. As a team leader, each classroom is my opportunity to create academic collaboration and comradery.
I stumbled upon this pyramid and it’s deeply applicable meaning for life success when I was still a business major in my early twenties, seeking to apply a deeper sense of meaning to my career path. Football was my passion for nearly a decade up to that point and without it I felt lost. I was not an exceptional student after high school because I could not identify the purpose of going to college when I initially enrolled. It was after I finished reading Wooden on Leadership that I realized my missing sense of passion was not simply based on being part of a sports team. The passion I was missing stemmed from a desire to become a great teammate and leader once again. I missed the comradery that came along with creating a focused group of individuals striving for common goals. I missed the joy of watching my teammates succeed with the help of others. I missed developing skills that benefited everyone and not just myself. It was a time in my life that I will never forget because I finally had wind at my sails and a compass in hand.
My journey to become an English Language Arts Teacher was not a pretty one. I had to experience a litany of failures as a teenager until finally the summation of my mistakes was upon me, and I nearly lost my opportunity to have a future. I have fully experienced the human capacity for self-destruction and I would not wish that on any person. Once I had hit my rock bottom, it felt as though there truly was no climbing out. I was fortunate enough to have incredible developmental allies at my side when I needed it most. As I have grown older it has become clear to me that my joy comes from being a developmental ally and role-model for all of my students. I try to assuage myself with each of my students because frankly kids don’t learn from people they don’t like, anyone that has worked in education can tell you that.
My philosophy is to see the potential in all of my students. I want to inspire my kids to become self-realized, I want them to understand that nothing stands in their way but themselves. While the journey may be more difficult for some than others, there is no point in comparing your path to others if it keeps you from continuing on your own with focus and tenacity. Every student deserves a coach to push them and an adult to care for them. I want my students to see potential within themselves and then to capitalize on that potential by applying themselves with maximum effort and the intent of becoming the best that they can possibly become. There is no heavier burden than great potential. Therefore, I want each of my students to feel that weight that comes with knowing they are capable of greatness, let that weight press on them just a bit, and then lift up and ascend to become a stronger being than before.
The Pen Ninja 