When I was first starting in my educational pursuits, I was fresh out of college, jumping into my first varsity basketball coaching position of a program that had won four games the previous four years - combined. (Needless to say, there wasn't a long line of applicants for the job.) And as teachers my age look back on their careers, they recognize the special people that really shaped the educator they eventually became.
One of those people for me was a guy named John Elder. He taught middle school science, was an assistant coach in a variety of capacities - football, basketball, track, and probably a lot more. He was an extra-miler, and he was genuinely passionate about kids. I don't really know the exact situation...it may have been on the football field; it may have been in the classroom, but one thing he said to me was something I have carried with me for the rest of my life.
When things are really bad, I mean REALLY BAD...the classroom group of kids you have are a handful...the team you are working with isn't very skilled...the group of people you are working with just isn't very good...the answer is to find SOMETHING positive. And John Elder was a master at this skill. His science lesson plan could be a complete flop with chaos and confusion and failures everywhere, but he would find SOMETHING positive and build off that.
He reminded me of that consistently in that first year of my teaching and coaching career, as I worked to try to teach middle schoolers and rebuild that basketball program. He would see me frustrated and confused and desperate and angry, and he would get in my face and tell me to take a breath and find something positive - even if the only thing positive was that someone communicated correctly or set a good screen or moved the correct direction. In an ocean of bad...find SOMETHING positive and highlight that.
And truth be told, it's a skill that takes development. I suppose age helps and feeling totally helpless helps. At the end of the day, though, it's much more gratifying and fun to find the positive rather than dwelling on all the negatives. My mom frequently reminds me of a saying her dad (my grandfather who's first name was also John) used to share, and I'm sure you have heard it or something similar. When you are at rock bottom, the only direction is up.
I've blended those two philosophies together often in my career. When things are really, really bad and there is only one direction left, start in that direction by finding SOMETHING positive, even if it seems very, very minor and insignificant to everyone else. Amidst all the bad at the bottom, find a positive and start your journey up.
Try it today...when something isn't working in your classroom or in your personal life...find that SOMETHING. You'll feel better, and you'll help others feel better.
Anyone like John Elder or my Grandpa John in your career? Send me a comment and tell me about your person. I'd enjoy hearing your story.
Enjoy your positive something today.
JBiz
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