Editorial: Why teachers, educators, and coaches push to bring the best talent out of every student

Last week, one of my student-athletes asked me a question about why I continue to reach out to other athletes in efforts to get them to participate on the track and field team.

I looked at my student-athlete and responded that no matter who you are, there is talent within you that can come out. Some people are afraid to show it because they don’t think they will be successful at it or they will be judged.

That response is just a reflection of the love and care that is presented by teachers and educators every day. For being in a profession that has one of the lowest salaries in the world, these people are instrumental in bringing out the best in students.

It is natural for students to keep to themselves and stay relatively quiet when they first enter a school building. Educators are there to show them that friendships are there. But one of the factors that isn’t shown at face value is that teachers and instructional aides who truly have the student interests at heart will never give up on them. And for most educators, that’s every student that they interact with.

I spent eight years in education, and I am in my 18th year in coaching. There is immense talent that our students have in both Charles City and New Kent County that still has the capability of coming up. For years, educators have made selfless sacrifices from buying supplies to help a student to setting up interviews with colleges so that they can have an opportunity.

There will be times where students tend to shy away or keep to themselves, and that is part of their personality. Yet, teachers never give up on them and they continue to fight for them. I’ve seen an art teacher dig into their own funds so that their student could draw a picture and send it off to an art school for acceptance. I’ve seen educators push aside work on their desk when a student walks in because they wanted a letter of recommendation.

As adults, we are tasked to set examples for our younger generation, and educators are the ones who tend to occupy this role the most due to their everyday interaction with students. Speaking from my coaching side, I see the talent in student-athletes and take every step in order to provide them opportunities that they may not have had in the past.

Are educators and coaches perfect? No. Do we know the best for every student? No. But when the heart and intentions are there, I can surely say that educators will not give up on that pupil. The occupation can be thankless at times, but when you hear from that student down the line and they say, “Thank you for not giving up on me,” then that is one of the key differences.

To the students of Charles City and New Kent, you are loved and cared for by educators. We see your talent, both natural and applied. If a teacher is pushing you, it’s because they care and want you to shine. Most educators will treat you differently, but they will treat you equally because every individual has their own unique abilities and methodology of learning. We want your success as much as you do. At times, we see a lot more in you than you think we do.

As for my influences on others, I’m blessed to have had that affect on a lot of people so far. But when you see someone with talent who is manifesting in it, or someone who has that talent but is afraid to be judged to work at their craft, sometimes that nudge is all they need.

If a teacher, educator, or coach can affect just one person, then we consider that a start to success. And it’s only a start because they’ll never quit trying.