Personal Statement as Concern About

Personal Statement

As concern about the nation's childhood obesity epidemic rises, there is a new demand for good coaches who can inspire children to enjoy physical activities. I believe that I can become such a coach: while every player has a different level of natural ability, it is the coach's job to understand what motivates an individual, and to better enable a player to perform at his or her maximum capacity.

My goal as a teacher and coach is that every child goes home smiling while thinking about new challenges he or she can surmount. Win or lose, while playing softball in the park or engaging in higher-level competition, physical activity is always a learning experience Sports do not have to be competitive, but every child can benefit from trying his or her hardest. A coach must motivate a team in a way that is safe and builds rather than tears down players' self-esteem.

A coach must have an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations. These expectations must not be unrealistic, which can discourage students, but they must also challenge every player to dig deep within him or herself and make discoveries about personal limits. Sports have always been a very important part of my life, as a spectator, player, and above all a coach. I love the feeling of putting together a good team that works well interpersonally. Teamwork and self-sacrifice are characteristics that are often talked about in modern life, but playing sports is one of the few venues in which young students actually get to put values of teamwork into practice. Playing sports teaches diligence and consistency as well as teamwork. Sports give children a sense of accomplishment and their values spill over into other aspects of the child's life.

The foundation of my instruction method is based upon three distinct values: the value of collaboration, curriculum integration, and the use of technology. Collaboration is essential on a team, of course, but I also look forward to collaborating with my non-athletic colleagues to enhance what is learned in the classroom. Children should have the values of what they learn in the school curriculum reinforced on the field. The spatial relations and kinesthetic knowledge required to throw a ball touches upon what students learn in science; the ethics of sports figures and steroid use are addressed in social studies; the philosophical and spiritual importance of sports is discussed in great literature. Students can even have math skills reinforced by keeping track of team statistics. Learning about technology, such as how to use the web to engage in research, can easily be reinforced as children look up new sports drills, or even simply follow the careers of inspirational athletes who have values of which a coach, parent, and child can be proud.

Above all, I believe in student-centered learning. The experiences that the child remembers are those that he or she learns hands-on. The playing field and practice field are great teachers: a child who does not practice and does not try will not improve, and there is no way this can be 'faked.' In my instruction, I will strive to make information meaningful to my students by reinforcing fundamentals and past knowledge, even as I try to move the team forward. Not all children learn in the same way, but all children deserve the type of attention that will facilitate their learning.