As you may have noticed, I have been a bit busy lately, considering my last post was nearly 3 months ago. To say the very least, it has been a difficult few months and I am glad that Spring has arrived. I quit running our athletic study hall, I've essentially joined the coaching staff of our Varsity Girls Basketball team, and they added on another class to the 6 I was already teaching. But hey, after 3... they all kind of blend together. I've attempted to maintain a social life, kind of. While the days were tough and I have been more exhausted than usual, I still love my job and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. This would be the perfect time to add on more things... right?
(Begin: musical interlude from dark, sad minor chords to happy, upbeat, Disney Princess theme music and birds chirping)
With Spring comes beautiful weather, cherry blossoms, and spring sports. Usually, this is when I get to take a break, go to baseball games and softball games (my favourite sports that our kids play), and then kick back during Passing League (boys touch football). The warm sunshine makes it nearly impossible for me to frown, I get to wear my most comfortable outfits (shorts with long-sleeve shirts), and the most delectable drink becomes appropriate to drink (Arnold Palmers... yummmmmm).
This is the time of year that I take to do me. To give myself time to relax. I don't manage children after 3:15p. I read books while sipping delicious cocktails at happy hours with outdoor seating. I wear sunglasses with pigtails and just a touch of make up and feel more beautiful than when I go to a black tie affair. Spring is a season where I live a fabulous life.
Spring 2013 will be different though.
I was talking with our amazing art teacher (yes, we only have 1), and we were discussing how much we love soccer. I told her that I coach my awesome 11 year olds (yes, I'm still doing that), and that I would love to help others with coaching at our school, but I didn't want to be a head coach. I had watched too much drama unfold in the world of Athletics and DCPS, and I wasn't interested in becoming knee deep in... it.
A few days later our Athletic Director (henceforward he will be known as AD), sent out an email to the staff about open coaching positions.
Tennis
Soccer
Girls Bowling
Girls Flag Football
Now, as I mentioned before, the soccer position was of interest to myself and Ms. Art, so I quickly texted her asking if she was up for it. We decided to have dinner and figure it out. Coaching High School is similar to 11 year olds... right?
We were at Chili's with Ms. B, and we were having some yummy margaritas and yummy appetizers, when it occurred to us that we both really wanted to coach soccer, but we didn't want to do it alone. I didn't feel that I could take on yet another responsibility, and she didn't feel as though she knew enough about coaching to make it happen. So together, we would make a perfect pair. I told her that it was going to be difficult to get girls to sign up for the fall if we didn't start recruiting in the spring. So how would we go about that? The best way was to have athletes participate in a secondary sport in the off-season beforehand... thus this spring. What spring sport could we rope new girls into?
Girls Flag Football
"Ms. Art.... we could probably get a ton of girls to play flag football... it's fun, and who doesn't like football in this city??"
"Yeah Ms. Walker... I guess.. but I really don't know much about football, let alone flag football."
"Me neither. But we're fun and it sounds fun so I bet girls would do it."
"Hahahahahhaha yeah... I guess."
"So let's do it!"
"Really"
"Yeah, I think this will be hilarious."
Ms. B just sat there shaking her head. She knows that neither of us know the first thing about football. But once I had texted AD saying that Ms. Art and I were his new flag football coaches, she was sold on being the Team Mom, helping organize the little things that every good team needs.
I immediately texted the football coach and told him that I was stealing some one of his coaching staff. One of the older members of the coaching staff, Coach S, was our former football coach who had taken our school to many a championship and had his fair share of trophies. To say the least, he was kind of a big deal in the DCPS football world. He also happened to be one of my Top 5 Favourite People In the Building. He reminded me a lot of my grandpa, the jolliest man alive, so I naturally wanted him around all the time. Coach S had casually mentioned he'd help me with flag football if I wanted to coach it (not so subtly hinting that I should coach the sport... well done, sir), so I marched into our Varsity Football coach's office (Coach S's usual hang out) and told him that we have a team and would be honoured for him to be our Offensive Coordinator. He was delighted. After leaving the football office, I went to his bud, Coach P (another former big time DCPS football coach) and asked him if he would be our Defensive Coordinator. "Ms. Walker... you know I'd do anything for you. Just say jump and I'll say how hi." (As you can imagine, I loooove Coach P.)
Our coaching staff now consisted of:
Ms. Walker - Head Coach
Ms. Art - Assistant Coach
Ms. B - Team Mom
Coach S - Offensive Coordiantor
Coach P - Defensive Coordinator
However, there were still a few things that needed to be taken care of. So I went to our Registrar, Ms. QB, and our Business Manager, Ms. W. Ms. QB has more spirit than anyone I know, and was also very involved in the Recreational Sports world in Washington, DC in a former life. She loves sports and has the hook up - she was just looking for a good sport to get involved in. Flag Football was it. Ms. W was also looking to get involved and knows a thing or two about football (she's a wild fan) so she was in. That left one position left... we needed someone who knew how to train people.
Naturally, I turned to my good friend Ms. L. She belongs to a Cross-Fit gym and is working on getting her Coaching Certification, so I figured who better to practice work outs on than some of our young ladies? When I approached Ms. L, I was trying to pep her up about the team and she looked disgruntled. I was confused. Some of her favourite students were planning on being on the team, she loved when we got new kids involved in activities, and she supports me in everything I do, so why did she look so irritated?
"Ms. Walker... that's fine and all. But my problem is that I'm not involved!"
Well then, Ms. L, this is going to work out for both of us! Obviously, she was elated to be named our Team Trainer. We were complete. Our coaching staff now consists of the following:
Coach Walker - Head Coach
Coach Art - Assistant Coach
Momma B - Team Mom
Coach S - Offensive Coordiantor
Coach P - Defensive Coordinator
Coach QB - Assistant Coach
Coach W - Assistant Coach
Coach L - Trainer
With 8 coaches, we were ready for the 20 girls that we will have on our roster come April 8th.
Now, you may be thinking that this is a bit ridiculous.
First of all, this is not that serious of a sport. We know that. But we figure the more fun people involved, the more fun the girls will have. Each one of these coaches is a complete blast, super supportive, looking to have a good time, but also can be serious if need be.
Also, too many hands in the pot can make things messy. While I am a firm believer in small and mighty, High School Girls are a strange breed of crazy. I (as well as my family, teachers, and friends) am still recovering from my teenage years. The more people there to cushion these ladies and support them, the better. Each adult has a very different personality, one that each girl on the team can mesh with, and this gives them more places to touch base and receive help and guidance from.
Now, what really doesn't make sense is that I do not know the first thing about flag football. Before this year, I didn't quite understand regular football that great. So why am I, of all people, the Head Coach?
There are very few things that would bring together the group of girls we have and this particular group of adults. Each one of the girls that is going to play for me has a unique contribution to the team. They come from all different cliques and grades, with varying interests and abilities. One or two of the adults on my coaching staff would talk on a regular basis, but all of them do not cross paths on a usual day, if not week. They each have a strong skill set that will benefit these ladies, and each of them is extremely good at what they do. In addition, they did not know before hand, but they all aligned on what a team's key values should be:
1. Humility
2. Sportsmanship
3. Dedication
4. FUN
While I may not know the sport, I do know what it means to be a team and a coach. I feel that I have brought together the strongest coaching staff our building has to offer. This is what makes me qualified to be Head Coach. I know how to say, "I know what needs to get done, but I don't know how to do it," and then find the best people who know how to do what needs to get done. Our young ladies need structure, guidance, and a fun way to be healthy. My coaching staff knows how to make that happen, in their own way, with their own skills. This will help us accomplish the ultimate goal of any sport...
HAVE FUN!
Even more awesome about this situation? I have the Digital Media Arts Club making a documentary about our season. It's going to be epic.
(Begin: musical interlude from dark, sad minor chords to happy, upbeat, Disney Princess theme music and birds chirping)
With Spring comes beautiful weather, cherry blossoms, and spring sports. Usually, this is when I get to take a break, go to baseball games and softball games (my favourite sports that our kids play), and then kick back during Passing League (boys touch football). The warm sunshine makes it nearly impossible for me to frown, I get to wear my most comfortable outfits (shorts with long-sleeve shirts), and the most delectable drink becomes appropriate to drink (Arnold Palmers... yummmmmm).
This is the time of year that I take to do me. To give myself time to relax. I don't manage children after 3:15p. I read books while sipping delicious cocktails at happy hours with outdoor seating. I wear sunglasses with pigtails and just a touch of make up and feel more beautiful than when I go to a black tie affair. Spring is a season where I live a fabulous life.
Spring 2013 will be different though.
I was talking with our amazing art teacher (yes, we only have 1), and we were discussing how much we love soccer. I told her that I coach my awesome 11 year olds (yes, I'm still doing that), and that I would love to help others with coaching at our school, but I didn't want to be a head coach. I had watched too much drama unfold in the world of Athletics and DCPS, and I wasn't interested in becoming knee deep in... it.
A few days later our Athletic Director (henceforward he will be known as AD), sent out an email to the staff about open coaching positions.
Tennis
Soccer
Girls Bowling
Girls Flag Football
Now, as I mentioned before, the soccer position was of interest to myself and Ms. Art, so I quickly texted her asking if she was up for it. We decided to have dinner and figure it out. Coaching High School is similar to 11 year olds... right?
We were at Chili's with Ms. B, and we were having some yummy margaritas and yummy appetizers, when it occurred to us that we both really wanted to coach soccer, but we didn't want to do it alone. I didn't feel that I could take on yet another responsibility, and she didn't feel as though she knew enough about coaching to make it happen. So together, we would make a perfect pair. I told her that it was going to be difficult to get girls to sign up for the fall if we didn't start recruiting in the spring. So how would we go about that? The best way was to have athletes participate in a secondary sport in the off-season beforehand... thus this spring. What spring sport could we rope new girls into?
Girls Flag Football
"Ms. Art.... we could probably get a ton of girls to play flag football... it's fun, and who doesn't like football in this city??"
"Yeah Ms. Walker... I guess.. but I really don't know much about football, let alone flag football."
"Me neither. But we're fun and it sounds fun so I bet girls would do it."
"Hahahahahhaha yeah... I guess."
"So let's do it!"
"Really"
"Yeah, I think this will be hilarious."
Ms. B just sat there shaking her head. She knows that neither of us know the first thing about football. But once I had texted AD saying that Ms. Art and I were his new flag football coaches, she was sold on being the Team Mom, helping organize the little things that every good team needs.
I immediately texted the football coach and told him that I was stealing some one of his coaching staff. One of the older members of the coaching staff, Coach S, was our former football coach who had taken our school to many a championship and had his fair share of trophies. To say the least, he was kind of a big deal in the DCPS football world. He also happened to be one of my Top 5 Favourite People In the Building. He reminded me a lot of my grandpa, the jolliest man alive, so I naturally wanted him around all the time. Coach S had casually mentioned he'd help me with flag football if I wanted to coach it (not so subtly hinting that I should coach the sport... well done, sir), so I marched into our Varsity Football coach's office (Coach S's usual hang out) and told him that we have a team and would be honoured for him to be our Offensive Coordinator. He was delighted. After leaving the football office, I went to his bud, Coach P (another former big time DCPS football coach) and asked him if he would be our Defensive Coordinator. "Ms. Walker... you know I'd do anything for you. Just say jump and I'll say how hi." (As you can imagine, I loooove Coach P.)
Our coaching staff now consisted of:
Ms. Walker - Head Coach
Ms. Art - Assistant Coach
Ms. B - Team Mom
Coach S - Offensive Coordiantor
Coach P - Defensive Coordinator
However, there were still a few things that needed to be taken care of. So I went to our Registrar, Ms. QB, and our Business Manager, Ms. W. Ms. QB has more spirit than anyone I know, and was also very involved in the Recreational Sports world in Washington, DC in a former life. She loves sports and has the hook up - she was just looking for a good sport to get involved in. Flag Football was it. Ms. W was also looking to get involved and knows a thing or two about football (she's a wild fan) so she was in. That left one position left... we needed someone who knew how to train people.
Naturally, I turned to my good friend Ms. L. She belongs to a Cross-Fit gym and is working on getting her Coaching Certification, so I figured who better to practice work outs on than some of our young ladies? When I approached Ms. L, I was trying to pep her up about the team and she looked disgruntled. I was confused. Some of her favourite students were planning on being on the team, she loved when we got new kids involved in activities, and she supports me in everything I do, so why did she look so irritated?
"Ms. Walker... that's fine and all. But my problem is that I'm not involved!"
Well then, Ms. L, this is going to work out for both of us! Obviously, she was elated to be named our Team Trainer. We were complete. Our coaching staff now consists of the following:
Coach Walker - Head Coach
Coach Art - Assistant Coach
Momma B - Team Mom
Coach S - Offensive Coordiantor
Coach P - Defensive Coordinator
Coach QB - Assistant Coach
Coach W - Assistant Coach
Coach L - Trainer
With 8 coaches, we were ready for the 20 girls that we will have on our roster come April 8th.
Now, you may be thinking that this is a bit ridiculous.
First of all, this is not that serious of a sport. We know that. But we figure the more fun people involved, the more fun the girls will have. Each one of these coaches is a complete blast, super supportive, looking to have a good time, but also can be serious if need be.
Also, too many hands in the pot can make things messy. While I am a firm believer in small and mighty, High School Girls are a strange breed of crazy. I (as well as my family, teachers, and friends) am still recovering from my teenage years. The more people there to cushion these ladies and support them, the better. Each adult has a very different personality, one that each girl on the team can mesh with, and this gives them more places to touch base and receive help and guidance from.
Now, what really doesn't make sense is that I do not know the first thing about flag football. Before this year, I didn't quite understand regular football that great. So why am I, of all people, the Head Coach?
There are very few things that would bring together the group of girls we have and this particular group of adults. Each one of the girls that is going to play for me has a unique contribution to the team. They come from all different cliques and grades, with varying interests and abilities. One or two of the adults on my coaching staff would talk on a regular basis, but all of them do not cross paths on a usual day, if not week. They each have a strong skill set that will benefit these ladies, and each of them is extremely good at what they do. In addition, they did not know before hand, but they all aligned on what a team's key values should be:
1. Humility
2. Sportsmanship
3. Dedication
4. FUN
While I may not know the sport, I do know what it means to be a team and a coach. I feel that I have brought together the strongest coaching staff our building has to offer. This is what makes me qualified to be Head Coach. I know how to say, "I know what needs to get done, but I don't know how to do it," and then find the best people who know how to do what needs to get done. Our young ladies need structure, guidance, and a fun way to be healthy. My coaching staff knows how to make that happen, in their own way, with their own skills. This will help us accomplish the ultimate goal of any sport...
HAVE FUN!
Even more awesome about this situation? I have the Digital Media Arts Club making a documentary about our season. It's going to be epic.
