Joining in on today’s Wednesday Word fun with Deb Runs. When I saw the word “teach” for today I immediately thought about my recent experiences coaching Girls On The Run. Sometimes without even realizing it, the teacher becomes the student.
With the start of the new Girls on The Run season just around the corner, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about my experiences as a coach the past 3 years. In case you are not familiar, Girls on The Run is much more than a running program. We meet twice a week after school not only to run but to learn skills that will help them as they enter their teenage years. Our season ends with a 5k race with the other schools in the area.
We participate in activities and conversations about some of the following:
-Problem solving skills
-Self esteem building drills
-Stress management
-Friendship skills
-Healthy eating & exercise
Last spring as we got closer to our 5k race date, many of my girls were on par to really crush their time goals. We worked on trusting their training, race anxiety and knowing that they were prepared for race day. The week of the race, one of the girls approached me and asked if I would run with her at the race. She explained that she really wanted to beat her time from her previous race.
I had just recently run a race right around her time goal but I immediately worried about whether I would be able to do it again. I asked my junior coach, a teen on the high school track team, if she would run with her instead. I doubted myself and I didn’t want to disappoint her by holding her back.
Fast forward to race day. I was feeling pretty good and set out to just enjoy the day the cheer on my girls. As I approached the finish line I looked at my watch only to realize that I was going to finish about 15 seconds ahead of what her goal time was. I crossed the finish, turned around and saw the two of them finish the race right behind me. She achieved her goal and was very happy.
That day, I realized that she taught me the exact lesson that I was trying to teach her! She trusted her training, ran her race and achieved her goal. The teacher became the student that day.
EVERYDAY. This is my first year teaching high school students, and I am in awe of their newfound maturity, the amount of anxiety they wear on their sleeves, and I am pleasantly surprised with their drive to succeed. My husband coaches our school’s middle school cross country team, so it is a great opportunity…those girls are very lucky to have you!
That is fabulous to see your students so energetic and ready to learn. Having to teens myself I agree (at times). Hope you have a great teaching year.
I think a) we should never stop learning and b) the best relationships are the ones like the coach-coachee, where you mutually benefit each other and grow together.
I agree and I love my relationship with my girls. So looking forward to the season starting in a few weeks.
What an awesome role model you are to those lucky girls 😉 I have never had any interest in being a teacher, but love trying to help and inspire others. Like you said, often times I find myself learning more as I try to “teach” it to others.
I truly enjoy coaching them so much and I love learning from them as well. Although you think you are not a teacher, you have gotten us all to focus on our planks and teach us new ways to do them. 🙂
All the time! I mentor NP students in my clinic and I always learn something from them. Sometimes it is clinical knowledge, but the best lessons are the ones I learn about myself.
Yes! I love when that happens
I love this story! The girls are so cute! I feel like I am always learning something from everyone no matter the age/ relationship. There is always something someone else can teach you about life – positive or negative :).
Yes I totally agree and It’s a great feeling to have
That is awesome! Sometimes it is so hard to trust the training so it is good to learn that ast a young age. Great job!
It is hard to learn at any age!
Hmmm. I’m sure that I have, but at the moment, nothing is coming to mind.
Great post!
Thanks I can’t wait to start the new season with my girls
Oh Deborah! What a good lesson. It’s crazy how we can build each other up, yet doubt ourselves.
I know isn’t it!? Have a great day
Working with these girls has got to be so rewarding! They are lucky to have you as a teacher.
Thanks so much I truly love it!
It has been a turbulent week already by Wednesday 🙂 in my house. Girl drama, 10-year-old struggles, lots of…Draaaaama.
That said, I’ve learned so much from how my daughter has handled everything. And then, out of nowhere this morning, I had a little encounter with a friend and was able to use what I’ve learned from her this week with my own relationship.
<3
Girl drama is crazy real! It does get a little better in a few years 🙂
I’ve always been a fan of teachers taking a learning position w their student. It’s give and take
Yes absolutely!
What a great experience that must be being involved in Girls on the Run. I used to teach piano and flute and was constantly taught lessons by my students. It definitely helped develop my own musical practice, whether it was approaching repertoire in a different way, tackling a challenge in a new way, etc.
Yes exactly!
I love GOTR my daughter did it last year and she wants to again in the spring. Such a great program.
I love it and I am really looking forward to the season starting
Whenever I set out to teach I always learn a lesson in patience and how to make things clearer. Learning to adapt your teaching style for your audience is also something I’ve learned.
Ah patience that is a tough one!
what a great lesson to learn! i believe we can learn something from everyone – regardless of age or background.
Yes I agree if we are open to it!
What a cool story, you are teaching them so much more than running. I hope to on day be able to give back like you do Deborah!
I hope you have the chance to do something like GOTR it’s so rewarding I truly love it.
Sounds like a great organization. I am always learning new things from my clients.
That’s great!
Those girls are SO lucky to have you! It is so nice to be able to share something that you love and to make a thumbprints on those young girls lives! XXOO to you!
Aw thanks friend!
I love love love this post!
I think we can always learn from those around us. Our son is constantly teaching me new things. It’s always good to pay attention to see what knowledge others may be able to impart to us.
Yes I love it when I learn something when I least expect it
I’ve always wanted to be a coach for Girls on the Run but I’ve been too busy in the last few years with work and schooling. Once I have some more free time, this is so on my bucket list. It seems like one of the most rewarding experiences 🙂
OH I really hope you have the chance to coach sometime. Let me know if you ever want to chat about it
What a sweet story! It’s amazing how teaching is just another level of being a student 🙂
It really can be!
Yes! I always find I learn so much more from the kids I volunteer with than they probably learn off me!
It’s so great when that happens isn’t it?
I just love this program!!! my schedule has never allowed me to participate, but I absolutely will at some point!
I really hope you have the opportunity to help out at some point it’s really a fabulous and very rewarding experience
Its always amazing how we can learn so much from those that we surround ourselves with, and that we can often learn from those who we least expect to learn from. I often learn things from my students, even though I’m their “teacher.”
I love it when that happens!
I’ve always thought of it like this, “To Teach, is to learn.” I’ve never been a teacher per say, but as an Administrator you can’t help but take on a mentorship role, and I can’t speak enough about the amount I personally learned from the people around me. It’s a beautiful thing 🙂 Your group sounds amazing, it must be a great experience for all!
I truly enjoy it so much!
How awesome is that! Love this! And what a great idea!!!
Thanks so much have a good one!
What a great story!
I’ve always thought teaching is the best way to learn ourselves.
I used to mentor teen girls in my church before I moved and I feel like they taught me more than I taught them, those girls amazed me!
Everyone should take some time to mentor or teach and help youth the take away is always highly rewarding, just like you and them in that race!
Great job to you and those girls!!!
it is really so rewarding for me! Glad you had the chance to do mentor as well.
Such a great lesson! I really think it is so great that you work with Girls on the Run – they’re lucky to have you as a coach!
Aw thanks so much Michelle!
I just absolutely love that you work with Girls on the Run and that you enjoy it so much.
Thanks Abby! I truly love it and can’t wait for the season to start in a few weeks.
What a wonderful story about teaching! Congrats to both you and the young lady in the story.
Thanks for linking up!
Thanks for hosting!