Crunch Time

(picture from two weekends ago...varsity basketball wins the RVA Tournament)

There’s an extent to which a teacher or coach is not responsible for his pupils. He doesn’t play the game. He doesn’t take the test. He doesn’t shoot the foul shots. He doesn’t write the essay. But there’s also an extent to which the teacher or coach IS on the hot seat.

That seat is mine right now. Teaching AP English for the first time has put me in a unique situation, as my students’ performance on the AP exam in early May will-- in some ways-- reflect on the preparation I’ve given them. Normally, when teaching non-AP courses, I do my best, I give my grades out, and my students quietly pass on to the next grade. This year, those standardized scores come back, and any of the blame (or praise) that’s to be had by a teacher comes my way. Not their 7th-10th grade teachers’ way…my way.

The other main hat I’m wearing right now is that of basketball coach. We have semifinals this week. Win that, and we’ll be likely facing the best team in our league for the championship. Every practice has a sense of urgency, as the day of evaluation is soon upon us. Coaches don’t win championships; players do. But I certainly want to do my best to get my players and pupils ready for showtime.