This weekend, I spent 2 days going through the USA Rugby coaching workshop. It means that I am a certified rugby coach (and that the other coaches will probably make me do more at practice now). The whole weekend reminded me of my MAT program: It stressed discussion, practicums and reflection. Umm, that's all I did between June 2010 and May 2011. Discussed what laws and definitions meant. Put our thoughts into action by doing small sessions with classmates. Reflecting on what went well, what went not so well, and how we could improve. During the rugby program, our leader asked us what the difference between a teacher and a coach is. To me, there is no difference. Both positions involve teaching, motivating and using technique to optimize learning.
As a teacher, I want to motivate my students. I want them to try, and I want them to want to learn. I want to reach every student, and not shut down the students who don't succeed right away. Motivating the students who struggle is most important. I want to teach them that effort pays off. I want to teach them that you don't always have to get the right answer right away. I want to teach them that trying a problem you don't know can still yield success. I want them to put effort into both my tests and the standardized tests that my school is judged on. As a coach, I want to motivate my students. I want them to try rugby, and I want them to learn the game. I want to reach every player, and not shut down the players who don't succeed right away. Motivating the players who don't excel right away is most important. I want to teach them that effort pays off. I want to teach them that practice makes perfect, but games won't always go perfectly. I want to teach them that going against a bigger, stronger, faster team can still yield success. I want them to put effort into the games that their season and team are judged on.
As a teacher, I want my students to learn. Yes, I want them to learn how to do math. But more than that, I want them to learn how to approach problems, how to apply what they've learned to new problems, how to persist, how to work with others, and how to express their thoughts clearly through writing. As a coach, I want my players to learn. Yes, I want them to learn how to (safely) play the game. But more than that, I want them to learn how to approach situations and make good, quick decisions. How to persist. How to work with others. And how to express their plays and positioning on the field.
As a teacher, I spent a year (and still spend time) learning how to teach. I learned that exploratory learning is better than lecturing. Activities with meaning and purpose will create memorable learning experiences. As a coach, I spent two days (and still spend time) learning how to coach. I learning that incorporating games into practices will enhance learning. Games involve making quick decisions in rugby-like situations. They conceal conditioning, and make it fun. Basically, games are better than drills that work the same skill.
As a teacher, I feel that I can translate many of my skills over to the rugby field. I'm excited to see how my girls do in the spring. There's a lot of skill in the vets, and potential in the rookies. Let's ruck, maul, pillage and burn!
