Skip to main content

Friday with Friends - Coach D's Corner

A few days back I read a Facebook post from Coach Meghann Dodd - whom I first met while conducting a leadership development exercise for her students.  Her FB post highlights the love, care and kindness that many teachers have brought into their classrooms.  Often, these remain overlooked by the masses.



Meghann Dodd will be successful teaching because she is genuinely interested in her students.  It is these type of behaviors that create engagement "beyond" the textbook.

Without further ado, let's hear it for Meghan Dodd!

*********Coach D's Corner**********

Not too many funny ones today more of a prayer request - I'm sure there will be plenty of funny this year with the crowd I have!

Today I tell you moments that have touched my heart over the last 3 weeks of school...

**A student shares with me that he is having a really hard time and just wants to stop coming to school. He tells me that he never had a dad and just feels like he's at the point that he really needs one.  I ask if he could use a hug and he said yes with tears in his eyes. Please pray for him.

**Another student shares with me that she was adopted 2 years ago and just recently has started to not get along with her adoptive parents. She said she doesn't know why but she just doesn't feel happy at home anymore. While I'm sure it's hormones and a phase she and I talk about outside influences that maybe making her feel that way and a few ways she can open up to her adoptive parents. This poor girl is torn between worrying about her drug addicted bio mom, her sister who was adopted by a family in another town and getting along with her family now. She told me I was already her school momma. Please pray for her.

And now for a little humor...

**Kid walks in late and I say that's your 1 freebie... (I have honestly only seen the kid in class a handful of times in the first 3 weeks) he says- "ok great! Thanks Coach- I'm really trying to quit skipping!"

**A kid calls everyone his son or nephew (just goofy). He's always early to my class so he does hall duty with me. Random kids walk by and he'll yell "my son!!!" And proceed to hug them. One of his "sons" in my class is about 6'7 (this kid is maybe close to 6')
He said "Coach Dodd, my son isn't listening to me...

I said, "maybe because he can dunk on you .... 

He then took a Polaroid camera out and said "ok family picture! Coach Dodd- get in! You're family too!" 

The picture develops and he says something to the effect of we are a good looking family and giggled as he said that he could see the resemblance (side-note: I was the only white person in the pic). They were so excited when I hung it on my picture wall!

While the first 3 weeks have had their struggles I have also got to know some amazing kids!

********************

About Meghann...

Meghann graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology with an emphasis in wildlife. After graduation she entered the corporate world and worked her way up to management very quickly; she then became a corporate trainer with a financial institution. After 4 years she realized she LOVED teaching but not what she was teaching. She decided, with the help of her family, to go back to school and get her teaching certificate. Meghann was blessed to be hired immediately. She has now entered her 5th year of teaching and still loves to go to work every day!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding the "Engagement Zone"

The “engagement zone” is an unseen, yet powerful arena, in which an emotionally driven encounter occurs that results in a transaction between parties or their respective representatives. These transactions may be: Between two individuals Amongst or between a group or groups of individuals Amongst or between an individual and a representation (website, app, etc.) of an individual or organization. Transactions in the engagement zone may or may not: Be authentic Be effective Be meaningful. Within the “engagement zone” a wide variety of transactions can occur. These transactions range from moments that “last a lifetime” to moments that “drive us to rage.” Make no mistake, the “engagement zone” is powerful and it is packed with endless possibilities. When people enter “the zone,” they typically enter with a purpose. They may enter to buy or sell, teach or learn, improve or grow, lead or follow, etc. The goal, most often, is “success” within the zone. Two Fa
Post a Comment
Read more

4 Leadership Lessons from the Pace Car

I can remember the first Indy 500 I watched.  Specifically, I can recall my captivation with the “pace car.” The very first pace car I watched "set the pace" was a Chevy Corvette driven by Jim Rathmann. I remember asking my friends in the room “what exactly does a 'pace' car do and why is it needed?”  Without any hesitation someone in the room replied “it paces the drivers to ensure they are up to speed and ready to start the race.” I now realize that the “pace car” is actually a “pace setter" and it does more than just "set" the speed.   When I think of coaching, teaching, mentoring etc., it is evident that "pace setting" is a quality of effective leaders. Pace setting creates opportunities to grow success by setting expectations. 4 Leadership Lessons from the Pace Car #1 - The pace car ensures that the track is safe. Effective leaders ensure that organizational culture is both physically and emotionally safe. Yes, the
Post a Comment
Read more

Praise-Based Feedback

Types of feedback on performance. There are two types of feedback on performance. First is "opportunity-based feedback" and the other is "praise-based feedback." Both, when effectively and authentically delivered, can drive the engagement process to more meaningful levels. Effectively and authentically delivering "praise-based feedback" communicates the following: Value. When praise-based feedback is offered it communicates a message of value to the person receiving recognition.  The primary message delivered is that others are "valuable and worth recognition." Awareness. When praise-based feedback is offered it communicates awareness to the actions and behaviors of the person receiving recognition.  The primary message delivered is that "what is being done" is being noticed and it is not going unrecognized. Gratitude. When praise-based feedback is offered it communicates gratitude to the person receiving
Post a Comment
Read more