It’s baseball season for our boys and naturally, Melissa finds a way to relate baseball to our experiences in Taholah. Our two most important roles in life (parents and educators) collide to remind us that life is all about. Growth.

We have had a steady stream of games and practice this week. The first night we sat through 6 long innings, in the rain, and MANY walked batsman. It drug on forever, it was cold and not real enjoyable. We won, but I left thinking, that was boring and I’m not sure any of the kids got better.  The second night was a game of hit upon hit. Their little pitcher was struggling and looking defeated. A Dad yells, “Hey! They can’t hit bad pitches!” Meaning, you are doing great! We both looked at each other and smiled at the thought. Here we have two games….same results….yet what a shift in perspective and how we view growth.

Cut to education. Taholah is considered a priority school based on state testing. It will take time and perseverance to establish and maintain a culture of learning. Will we see a majority of “passing scores” year 1? Year 2? To me it’s not about the wins / loses its all about student growth.  We have to provide quality opportunities to learn (balls in play) This is where the two collide.

Were there opportunities for growth in game 1? It was all on the pitcher (teacher) and not much opportunity for the players (students). In game 2, while it was a struggle and a lot of pressure for the pitcher (teacher) all the players (students) had opportunities to make plays, mistakes, adjustments, and then celebrate the small successes! All part of the cycle of learning. Both games had similar results (state tests not “passed”) yet look at the opportunities for growth. I can’t help but to look at the game as a whole and reflect on how important it is to have coaches and leaders on board with this perspective.
Coaches (administrators) can lose games…but only players can win them….and it takes ALL players. Today was a great day for our team! I am so proud. We have the opportunity to bring on more pitchers to provide opportunities our players to get in the game.

Go Chitwhins!