Counselor’s Corner - September 20, 2023 Issue

Dear Teacher,

My sixth-grader just completed her first team sport season. Given her traumatic birth cerebral palsy diagnosis, athletics have never been her strong suit.  Weak muscle tone, poor coordination, and lack of upper body strength all have worked against her.  So, when she signed up for the middle school volleyball team, we celebrated her efforts to "try new things."

Trying, it turns out, is something she's always been good at.  This kiddo TRIES at everything. At a year-and-a-half, with her special education teacher coaching her tiny body to hold her straining head muscles and pull her shoulders forward, she TRIED to sit upright.  At two, she TRIED to walk across the living room, leaning against her physical therapist coach and wobbling to her end goal.  Now, at age eleven, with Coach D's training and conditioning, she TRIED to master pivoting and sliding to reach the ball and net.  

And her TRYING paid off!  She learned proper low-crouched 'ready' position.  She developed skills in bumping, setting, and serving.  She figured out how to navigate teammate dynamics.  And just like her toddler years, she leaned on her coach to get her there.  The coaching made her capable.

And you, teacher, there in your classroom, TRY, too.  Every day you TRY to manage difficult behavior.  Each staff meeting you TRY at sensing team dynamics.  Every lesson you TRY to teach with creativity and energy.  I know that, on behalf of your students, you're pivoting, pulling, prodding, and protecting -- TRYING at it all.  

Sure, there are some days when the score leaves you defeated.  Absolutely there will be times when you 'drop the ball.'  Some days you may even have to 'bench' yourself for a self-care timeout.  But always, no matter what, you have a Heavenly Coach in your court when you're TRYING.  His coaching makes you capable.  Now that's worth cheering for!

Rooting for you on the sidelines!
Mindy Salyers
Christian School Counselor