Academic Superbowl season is upon us. If you have never been to a competition or even heard of one, then here is a brief synopsis. Middle School and High School students compete as a team against other schools in Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Math and English. There is a broad topic (this year's is Ancient Greece) with specific questions relating to the subject you are studying. The events are sponsored by Purdue University and the Indiana Association of Principals. The reward for the five top teams in each category in each class is a trip to the state finals in May in West Lafayette
Our son, Brett, is in his seventh year of participating on the Social Studies team. The high school coach for his team is my middle school social studies teacher that retired many years ago. She is the most eccentric person I have ever met, but she has a way of teaching students about history that the students love. She is brash, loud, and opinionated, yet she always asks for and listens to her students opinions, even when they differ from hers. She fosters a love of learning and hard work ethic that is amazing. Her team meets with her for several hours a week at school and then every Saturday at her home (cats and all) for a four hour study session. By the time the state competition rolls around the team will be studying twelve hours a week. Through all of this I have never heard one of her students complain about the commitment. They can't wait to see what they are going to be learning about, take the tests, talk about the ills of government and/or the debate the questions that may or may not be asked.
She has had many successes over the years with numerous conference, regional and invitational championships. My son's own teams have finished 2nd in state twice and were state champions his sophomore year. I know that she is competitive and does love to win, but it is apparent that her real victory is in seeing the students grow and develop their own thirst for knowledge. What a great example for me as a teacher!
Sounds like this teacher is worth the time... her passion is contagious, right?
ReplyDeleteI had a debate coach in High School that was amazing. Makes me think of your son's coach.
ReplyDeleteI love that she has not lost sight of the real prize......It's obvious her students are the winners here... she sounds like an amazing teacher!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a commitment for students and their coach! "Seeing students grow and develop their own thirst for knowledge" - that's the kind of passion that fuels our teacher hearts and takes us past the fatigue. Thanks for sharing this inspiring example with us.
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