By Coach Kevin Sutton
A teacher is a coach and a coach is a teacher, both are what I consider educators. The master educator has the unique ability to get the best out of their students/athletes. They see the potential in their students/athletes before the student/athlete sees it in themselves.
A master educator is a person who:
- Understands the holistic approach to development of the individual. Emotionally, Academically, Socially, Psychologically.
- Understands that you must have “believe in” before you can have “buy in”. Trust and authenticity are the bridges used to connect “believe in to buy in”.
- Understands that they must meet the individual where the individual is especially from a maturity standpoint.
- Understands that each person is unique. The master educator must have an understanding of where the student/athlete is from and where they are now, in order to guide them toward reaching their fullest potential.
- Understands the power of motivation both intrinsically and extrinsically. This is a powerful ally to the master educator. Understanding the factors that motivate each individual is a process and takes time to accomplish. Dedicating time to understanding individual motives can be a valuable asset in helping the student/athlete to enhance their performance.
- Understands the power that their words and position have on the student/athlete. Every day they have the opportunity to be a ladle that can either pour into the student/athlete’s bucket to make it full, or be a ladle that takes out of the student/athlete’s bucket.
The ability to impact lives in a positive way can create what I call a “Living Trophy”. As a coach when you win a championship trophy, after the initial celebration the trophy is put on display in the trophy case where it collects dust. The trophy is taken out of the case for reunions or other celebrations. Though this is something that you should be very proud of, I suggest you take the time on a daily basis to pour into your students/athletes in a positive way so they can become your Living Trophies, which is far more powerful and meaningful than an actual trophy.
Living Trophies are those people who allow you to impact their lives. They listen and learn, then they apply that knowledge as they live out their best lives. Living Trophies become positive members of their communities. They give back to others and start to impact lives of those they come in contact with. Some will do this on a small scale, and others on a large scale. It can be anything from showing sincere interest in those they meet, to creating foundations to reach large numbers of people in need. Living Trophies are individuals for whom you have impacted in a positive way, and they in turn become a person that impacts others.
My challenge to you is to take every opportunity you can, as the master educator, to create as many Living Trophies as possible. Pour into your students/athletes; your time, your knowledge, your wisdom. Teach them to dream big dreams, and provide them with the essential values and strategies necessary to exceed their goals and dreams.