TAKE YOUR COACHING LEVELS

There are somethings in life called "Coaching Levels" which you can take which help you to become a better coach. My advice... TAKE THEM, I do not care who you are.

Tonight, I had to not play 3 players in our very VERY tight match against Balgonie. I felt just terrible, seeing the disheartened looks on their faces, remembering back to when I played Jr. Volleyball, I was one of them. But I was ok with that! Apparently, coaching levels help you get past that stuff without feeling so badly. But... but... seeing their sad little faces on the bench, gosh and then if their parents are in the stands! What the heck is a guy to do?! I just wanted to hug them, but I can't, so I tried to explain it as best I could. Here is the recap: Set 1, "top" 6 players out there, we win about 25-23 in a very hard fought win. We won on their serve error (thank god, i say aloud when it happens), otherwise it would have been tricky. 2nd set, I change up a few players, including starting one that might not have normally started, but whose dad was in the stands. He played half the set, didn't make too many errors, but we had to pull him out. Then, we couldn't get anything going, lost about 25-20. Third set, back to mostly the same people that we started with and we were essentially tied the whole way. 14-14 at one point. Then, they had a little run, and we were down 23-19. . . they get one more. . . we finally side out. now 24-20. Guy serves an ace. 24-21. Another nice serve, they shank it, 24-22. Now, the longest rally point of my LIFE. . . . . . . . we finally win it. Holy crap 24-23. Win another point! 24-24. Then, we miss one of our hits. 25-24 them. Then they miss their serve. . . 25-25. (By this time, I'm fricking jumping up and down, yelling, the trainers are saying "excited a little?") Another long rally point, we end up missing a pass. Another long rally point, we end up hitting the ball into the net on a spike. . . 27-25 for them. Ouch, that hurt. So, not only did we not win the game, but three guys are mad (hopefully not) at me for coming to the game and not playing at all.

I now have practice in 6:20min, so I have to sleep. What a day. Tea is grand.

Mr. B

Now, everyone can comment!

Now, EVERYONE can comment!

Apparently I'm famous?

Well, it would appear that more people are reading this blog than I may have thought. As such, I have allowed comments from anyone and everyone now. However, UNFORTUNATELY, I will have to censor myself somewhat so as to keep the rampant gossip at bay.

Thursday and Friday I was at a seminar for my Digital Internship. I got a lot of good ideas planned, and I can not wait to implement in classroom environments. I think it will add some structure and also fun discussion time to my classes. Even more, it will help students learn about being more connected. I'm really looking forward to the evening, though... So much so, I guess I didn't think my laptop power cord was important, and I left it in the Ed BUilding..........

So ANYWAYS... Friday night was a fricking GONG SHOW. I go to The Pump with Kim (teacher) to meet some other teachers there. I get there 5 mins before happy hour is over, so I pound my first beer to get the next one before 9, and I do it and I'm just stoked. Later, I found out it was 25cents off the regular price. Oh well, it set the tone for the night. Kim and I talk about lots of stuff, and she's great for advice and support, then finally the other teachers get there, mostly SMASHED out of their minds. Immediately there's random (or not so random) hands grabbing my ass. Anyway... over the course of 8:55- 12, i have about 9 drinks (5 beer, 3 shots, 1 cooler/shot) and I am not feeling too hot. Although I'm dancing up a storm (I never dance) with teachers and others alike, I get progressively drunker. I try to drink water to make me feel better. I vomit. I return, dance some more, leave around 1. Return home. Pass out on floor. Vomit in garbage can. Lay in bed, wake up to Dirrty music playing.. . . . I recall random events from the night before, seeing people I know, hugging people, dancing with people.. . . find random pics on my cell phone I forgot taking. Fun stuff!

Anyway... Saturday was rough, because I was still feeling half drunk, and I continued to not drink more water. (My kitten is sitting in my lap right now, she is so cute!) I decide to go out for supper with my friend Natalie. We had some excellent service, and then I tried to make some plans to go out later that evening, but everything fell through, and my stomach decided it could handle no more, so I watched Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (don't judge me) by myself, and went to bed.

Sunday was super. (Anyone notice I am not talking about school at all?) I finally decide ... "yeah, I'm going to get down to planning some lessons, making sure everything is ready with my Digital Internship stuff, making sure Dragon Naturally Speaking is working ok on my laptop, and just get ready for the new week." OOPS NO POWER CORD. So, I played poker instead and lost $15. What an evening. I did, however, come to some realizations in my love life... or lack of... OOPS, forgot I can't gossip on here anymore because some teachers apparently might be reading this. Hah, almost forgot.

Tomorrow should definitely be fun... I don't know if I can look some teachers in the eyes after my performance on Friday... But, t'is time for bed. Damn cat dander burns my eyes, but I love her so much. Remember: 3 cream, lots of splenda. Why would she tell me what she wants in her tea if she says I really don't have to do that... obviously she wants it. OK, make tea in the morning.

Mr. B

A week since last blog

It has been a week since my last post. First, I was away at outdoor school, then I made a new friend that I've been spending a lot of time with, so that leaves little for anything like blogging. But I have a free second here to give a quick update:

Outdoor school: Camping for three days with students, in a "get-to-know-you" type of atmosphere at Dallas Valley Ranch Camp. Did activities such as rock wall climbing, team building, crafts, horseback riding, and canoeing. During canoeing, I was out in my own canoe, and happened to... umm... tip it. With my cell and wallet in my pocket. They got a few good pictures of me, and it was a big joke. So then I went to Rogers and bought a new Sony Ericsson phone worth about $550, just to make me happy again. However, I am going to reutrn it, but to do so, I can't talk more than 30 mins or use more than 25 texts. Sooooo if you call me, forgive me if I don't answer it. I then am buying the same phone on ebay for cheaper, but with more accessories.
There was also a fashion show at outdoor school and I got dressed up like a girl, of course. They put a tiny skirt on me, and a bikini top, a J-Lo hat, a man-purse... I was a hell of a show. Everyone said it was really bold... I was like whatever, I have good spirit, humility. Also, we did a Mambo #5 songs with the interns... I was Lou Bega, and we were jiving it up, and it was a great show all around.

After that, the interns were supposed to hang out, but they all ditched, so it was just Liz (my new friend) and I. We get along really well, as we share lots of interests. But she has a boyfriend, so we are totally just friends. We went to the casino together, then watched a movie. Then Saturday, we went for drinks with all our mutual friends. She's really fricking cool. We're becoming good friends, and we just generally enjoy eachother's company. But I'm sure once internship picks up, we'll have to stop spending as much time together. Which will suck. But what can ya do?

Thursday and Friday I have out of the classroom again as I am at school for the Digital Internship Project meeting, where I am going to be planning some Electronic Experiences with the professor's help there.

In my CCH class, I am going to be demo-ing Dragon Naturally Speaking, because it is pretty fun. They'll all get a chance to talk to it, and we'll discuss the ins and outs and advantages and disadvantages of it. It is a text-to-speech program.

I am also spending less money by teaching, because I have to buy lunch-ish items when I go shopping, and then I am too busy to go shopping for another two weeks. So I don't buy all those impulse items that I normally do. What that means is though, for at least 24 days, I am drinking V8 and eating dairyland vanilla yogourt and fruit-to-gos. But hey, better that McD's every day.

I'll try to write more often, and more about my educational experiences, too. Tomorrow, if I can.

Mr. B

Not enough hours in a day

Ok, so the game was a debaucle at best. We decided to start with our best players, and they certainly did not quite look like our best. We had approximately 20 unforced errors, from serves into the net to mis-hits. Not the best way to lose by any means. Although on a good note, 6 boys stayed after to practice more because we were so disgusted with the loss. The impromptu practice went well, but it wasn't until 8:15 when someone finally said "Coach, I'm tired" that we finally decided to call it a night. It was quite the team building practice. This morning, most everyone showed up, and we had a practice that was quite the same. Skill building, skill building, skill building. We have another coach to help us, too, but it seems like Kim and I are spearheading the team.

By "Not enough hours in a day", I mean that I was awake at 6am yesterday, and stayed at school until 8:30pm, finally staggered in the door at 9:15pm, begged a few people to give me a shoulder massage as I was in dire pain, and as nobody cared enough to do so, I went to bed in tears (kidding) over my pain. Felt much better when I woke up. Now, this is ok... FOR NOW. What about when I am teaching 2 or 3 classes, and I need time to prep lessons?? There is no way I can come home at 8:30 and then spend another hour or two planning lessons when I am so dead. What's a guy to do? It is hard with a team that is so dedicated. And there comes a time when a teacher has to realize that there are a thousand ways to give your time away, and a thousand people who would gladly take it. You have to pick the spots where you can, and still leave yourself enough time to survive.

I'm yawning now. Spacing out... need more sleep. Perhaps I can sneak another lunchtime nap in there somewhere... Tomorrow I am leaving for Outdoor School, so I wont have an update until like Friday sometime. So essentially, this is my last class this week today. In fact, I'm going to look up some canoeing notes so that I feel prepared to teach that.

Dan

Go time bitch

It's 7pm and I'm about ready to go to bed, because I have 7am practice, and then 6:15 game which makes for a loooong day. We are playing Leboldus who are known for really powerful volleyball teams. Learning experience if anything.

Today, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some washer fluid. I left with a leather jacket, another tie, a watch, some boxers, and some multivitamins. Hoping the multivitamins will keep me from being sick during the next four months. Then, I forgot the washer fluid. SO I went to Canadian tire, and bought washer fluid and some oil. All in all, I spent $200 when I wanted/needed to spend only $5. Shit happens.

It's always funny to find pictures that you took with your cell phone when you were drunk one night, that you did not remember taking. I haven't been drunk in forever, and I can't say I am really planning on it.

This week is another only two days of teaching, then outdoor school which is like me camping out of town will all the grade 9s and some grade 12s with a bunch of other teachers. My area is canoeing, so I'm stoked to get a bit of a workout.

Watching One Tree Hill now... then sleep.

ok ok

Okay, okay, so volleyball practices at 7am aren't so bad, plus I'm sleeping better than ever before, and feeling well, too. Could be the 8 liters of water I drink every day. Its better to be addicted to water than slurpees like I used to. What is bad is players going behind my back to other teachers to ask him to come out to our practice. I mean, I know I'm new, but give me a chance! So we're having a meeting at lunch and I'ma gonna get a little adamant.

Kids are calling me coach all day, its awesome. On odd days, I have one class and they are amazing, silent, and attentive. On even days, I have a class that is 50% bigger, and full of problems at the moment. From a kid who claims he cannot read, yet can certainly talk all day while I'm talking, to kids who interrupt me when I am talking, only to ask questions that I am just about to answer... CALM DOWN, wait 15 seconds, and I'll likely answer your question before you ask it.

It's a week into school, and I'm pretty much ready to pick up that second class already. It would be another computer class, but just based on MSWord and stuff, using formatting, etc... Again, not the hardest class.

Life in general is pretty good at the moment. Jones soda told me that "I will be very successful in my professional career" and "This year will bring me much happiness". Yes I drank two Jones in one sitting! That Cream Soda is just too good! :'(

Danny

Funny school stuff

So, getting up at 6am for 7am practice isn't SO bad. Every day at school has its rewards. Like walking through the halls and recognizing your students and having one say to you "hey coach". Heh... that feels good. And forcing those buggers to run around the school at 7:15am is fun, too, even if I have to do it with them. I've gotta get in shape for floor hockey, too!

Oooh ooh I found out there's gonna be a staff-students ice hockey game... *drools* I can't wait.

Lastly, a sign in the staffroom says "LOST! One table fan. If you find, please return to room 36". Translation for any non-teacher-folk: "Hey Bastard-who-stole-my-fan. Bring it back to room 36 before I find you and destroy you, because I'm MELTING IN THERE!"

Danny

This is not what I signed up for!

I should have just stuck to coaching hockey... It is now 6:20am, and I am awake, showered, and ready to leave for volleyball practice at 7:00am. Who in their right minds wants to come to school an hour and a half early for practice? Apparently these guys do. It is just insane. Last night I went to bed at 9pm after being at school till 8:30. How is this gonna fly when I have 4 classes? Oh wait, it isn't... because I wont pick up 4 until it's all over. Ok, this is ok, I will survive.

Everything else is great, won a bit of money on the weekend in my last poker this year, read the Major-General's poem ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_General's_Song) -- hilarious and awesome to say super fast! Makes me laugh every day. Basically, things are ok and looking like they'll be ok, or better than ok, in the very near future.

The students are respecting what I have to say about keyboarding, and it just couldn't be better. They are all learning how to touch-keyboard, and it's just a dream. Today, I get the day 2 kids, so we'll see how well they do. Gotta jet.

Danny

First "real" class under my belt

Mayhem! Is how the first real class began. Half the students couldn't log on, the other half kept wanting to know "what do i do next?, what do I do next??". So, new plan: use a daily organizer, and hopefully now everyone's login issues are fixed.

There is nothing in school right now that pisses me off than these god-damned young girls and their god-damned bad attitudes. They think they fricking own the place, and now I'm gonna have to lay down the law. SO I need to practice some law laying skills first. Anyway...

I think my students generally like me and respect me as the teacher, and most are actually listening to me and taking my keyboarding suggestions to heart. Here's a concern of mine right now: some students can already keyboard, and/or you can just sorta tell that they are better than the rest of the group. I am thinking about setting them off to the side and having them work on their own with timing sheets and skill builders and/or a computer based keyboarding program so that they are not deprived of growth as well.

It's kinda funny in my class. I've got quite the range of students... I've got the typical goodie-goodie, right up in the front middle, always listening to me, and doing everything I say, except going ahead juuuust a little. Then there's like the loner kid who is scared of grade 9 and doesn't have any friends in this class so he's just sitting far away. Then there's the bad girls in the back who talk when I am talking and complain that they don't like this class. Then there's the popular guy who is so cool that he's already chatting up the cute girl in class. It's cliché city!!

I am now in the process of making my own keyboarding manual so that I have to photocopy less, and I can do it all in one fell swoop and then be DONE for prep for this class. That would mean that all I need to prep for is all my other three classes, and, oh yes, volleyball.

Well, next week might be busier with v-ball and 5 full classes, but it should still be quite interesting and fun, as usual.

Dan out

Mr. B will be just fine

That's how I responded to my first ever question as a teacher. "Will Mr. B be okay?" - "Mr. B will be just fine". It also appears that a small group of girls has developed a crush on me. They constantly look and point at me when they think I am not looking, and then giggle when I look in their direction. I guess people told me it would happen. Maybe they're just laughing because I am wearing a tie and nobody else is...

Umm... my first class went fine, and I was not nervous at all. I think I fed on all of their nervousness and realized that I'm trained for teaching but they're not trained for grade 9 really, so I was more qualified to be where I am. They seemed to take in what I was saying, and responded well to my requests and were dead quiet. Hopefully, they'll all learn keyboarding well, and I can focus my efforts on the classes where I have to learn the material beforehand. Oh... by "went fine" I mean that half the class couldn't log on due to name/password issues, and some students insisted on picking their own passwords instead of letting me assign them. Today, will be mostly housekeeping with trying to get these students logged on to the computers and then we will get to keyboarding F and J and SPACE BAR... even on a blank screen. I mean, do you really need your monitor on to practice keying home row? No, you know when you made a mistake anyway.

Anyway, 8:15, gotta go prep.

Dan