My new hat- Coach McBryar

We know 6th graders go wild when something changes, well this week was filled with lots of changes. Side note: Oh, and my sweet students are now turning into 7th graders. UGH! We had a meeting at one of the elementary schools Tuesday, but it was more hostile than beneficial. The teachers said the upcoming class is very low. Hm... that reminds me of my group last year. I'll get as much sleep now because I know how much effort and energy I will put into next year if they are as low as the teachers say. Done with my side note--When they come back from connections, I am already in my track clothes. On Monday, they didn't know what to do. It was our first day of track practice and they hadn't seen me with my hair back. Their comments were hilarious! They already know I wear many hats during the day. They try to ask me math questions in homebase and I tell them my math hat isn't on and visa-versa. Well now I have another hat. It's a coach hat.

Monday was probably my favorite day ever to spend time with students. I can be myself when I coach. When I teach I get so caught up in the material that lunch, recess, and homebase are the only times I really get to invest in the personal lives of the students. A switch just turns off when buses are called, it's weird. I become ME again. At practice on Monday, I was able to help train some students in hurdling. They did such a good job. They were hilarious asking me how they did and I loved critiquing them as they went over the hurdles. We practice down at the high school so on our walk back to the middle school, I had quite a few people gathered around me telling me what they were going to do at home to stretch and get better. It was like they were wanting me to think they were the best and pick them to run in the meets. I've never had that kind of relationship with students where I could really pour into something other than academics. Yes, I've done academic bowl and church stuff, but this was different. I could teach them other life skills and be someone they look to for guidance. My attitude, critiques, and conversations can mean so much for these students. While standing on the track taking times for some of the running events, some of my 9th graders (my first class) came up to me and talked. That just made my day to know they can carry on a conversation with an adult and that they are adjusting well. Tuesday I helped out with high jump. We have some potentially good students in this event too. I'm so impressed and couldn't quit telling the students how good they are going to be. I loved seeing students so eager to try out events and want me to think they could be good! Wednesday and Thursday we worked with the sprinters for the relay races. Another thing about practicing at the high school is that we have to yield to the high school team. We can have an idea of what we might want to do for the day, but it could change if the high schoolers are using all the lanes and/or jumping events. It's pretty interesting to have to 70ish 7th and 8th graders so organized and willing to be flexible in our daily schedule because of the high school. Yes, we do have a lot of kids, but they've been amazing and we can coach without having to worry about behavior problems. I loved being able to demonstrate the events, but Dr. Rod didn't like that so much. My back is just now starting to get a little better (8 months after the fall). He told me he wants me to coach but not participate this week. I laughed and said I'd try, but it takes a lot of restraining my body to make me not want to get in on the action. I only thought I loved track as a participant, but I'm in love with track as a coach! I'm in the stage where I can't really tell you why I love it so much, however I do enjoy being called Coach McBryar and I do love the relationships because we all know I love this age group! Man, this brings back some amazing memories from high school.

Our first meet is the 25th! I will be as nervous as them. :)