OT: Teachers of Boneyard...Back to School Time

[temery]

My fiancée was back to school today, she's excited for the school year. 8th grade science and she gets to teach a normal team with an honors section this year.

Last year some admin decided to try out a new concept and place 89 of the most troubled kids on one team. Needless to say it did not go well, and didn't happen this year

Always ticked me off that as the only male teacher in a small school I always got the behavior problems.

 

[Greedo]

I'm curious if emotional support animals are a thing yet in any of your schools?

We have a group that brings dogs in. They hang out in the library or cafeteria and the kids can go to pet them. I would say multiple days per week there is a dog at the school.

 

[UC1995]

Middle school math at an independent private school in CT. I lead the department too, coach and other various hats

Nothing quite like middle schoolers… strange breed. Also teach math and started up back on August 14 this year.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

We have a group that brings dogs in. They hang out in the library or cafeteria and the kids can go to pet them. I would say multiple days per week there is a dog at the school.

I’m so all for that. I wish we had a therapy dog at our school.

It’s no coincidence that I usually have a great few weeks the same time a pre-school class takes care of baby chicks by our main entrance. I see them like every prep I have!

 

[cohenzone]

Always ticked me off that as the only male teacher in a small school I always got the behavior problems.

The school I’m mentoring in only has one male teacher. Can’t say for sure because my exposure to whole classes is tiny. Doesn’t seem like he had an inordinate percent of difficult kids. In general the lower grades in my school seemed not overall to have big behavioral issues. I did see a few situations.

 

[uconnfan68]

The school I’m mentoring in only has one male teacher. Can’t say for sure because my exposure to whole classes is tiny. Doesn’t seem like he had an inordinate percent of difficult kids. In general the lower grades in my school seemed not overall to have big behavioral issues. I did see a few situations.

My niece faced death threats from 3rd graders.

 

[cohenzone]

My niece faced death threats from 3rd graders.

So what did the school do?

 

[husky429]

My niece faced death threats from 3rd graders.

Not terribly uncommon, sadly. Kids need help and they ain't getting it

 

[Dove]

So what did the school do?

Probably called her into a meeting with the principal and Superintendent and was told to apologize to their parents.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

You're a braver man than me. I tapped out on overnight field trips a while ago.

Got back home around 4:30 today. Wednesday was ROUGH with the heat but thankfully NW NJ had some strong t-storms that cooled off the area by dinner time yesterday in time for the cabins to be bearable to sleep in.

It’s always interesting how certain kids (and teachers) get upgrades or downgrades after these trips. Like you really see people for who they are.

I fell asleep on the couch about an hour ago and now at 8 pm, I’m heading to bed for good.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Anyone else noticing that kids are way sick at the start of the year than usual? We had three teachers leave school early on Friday, but I'm sure starting the year at a three-day camping trip didn't help w/ starting the year off w/ everyone healthy.

 

[husky429]

Anyone else noticing that kids are way sick at the start of the year than usual? We had three teachers leave school early on Friday, but I'm sure starting the year at a three-day camping trip didn't help w/ starting the year off w/ everyone healthy.

We've had a number covid positive. Stay healthy, everyone!

 

[M.S.G.]

Not sure if we had a thread for this, but I know a handful of us here have coached or do coach now..

I decided to do something I said I'd never do.... Coaching middle school again.

Since I transitioned from teaching in CT to MA, I didn't coach these past 2 years - after talking to a few ADs and people I respect around here, the consensus was that I needed to suck it up and coach a year of MS to have an AD say, oh wow, yeah this guy is actually pretty good! Yeah no kidding... Coaching HS varsity again is the goal, I have more left to give. Heart wasn't in it those past few years, I think I have more in the tank.

Everyone ready for the season?

 

[husky429]

Not sure if we had a thread for this, but I know a handful of us here have coached or do coach now..

I decided to do something I said I'd never do.... Coaching middle school again.

Since I transitioned from teaching in CT to MA, I didn't coach these past 2 years - after talking to a few ADs and people I respect around here, the consensus was that I needed to suck it up and coach a year of MS to have an AD say, oh wow, yeah this guy is actually pretty good! Yeah no kidding... Coaching HS varsity again is the goal, I have more left to give. Heart wasn't in it those past few years, I think I have more in the tank.

Everyone ready for the season?

I enjoyed my year of middle school better than high school!

If I would give one bit of advice you already probably know it's skills, skills, skills. And make sure you have tons of small-sided games once you teach a skill so they can use it live. Too many MS coaches come with ego and a focus on winning and the kids suffer for it.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Not sure if we had a thread for this, but I know a handful of us here have coached or do coach now..

I decided to do something I said I'd never do.... Coaching middle school again.

Since I transitioned from teaching in CT to MA, I didn't coach these past 2 years - after talking to a few ADs and people I respect around here, the consensus was that I needed to suck it up and coach a year of MS to have an AD say, oh wow, yeah this guy is actually pretty good! Yeah no kidding... Coaching HS varsity again is the goal, I have more left to give. Heart wasn't in it those past few years, I think I have more in the tank.

Everyone ready for the season?

I start 7th/8th grade boys basketball tomorrow!

Team lacks skill, but overall should be a fun group to work with. Lucky if we win two games.

Good luck!

 

[husky429]

I start 7th/8th grade boys basketball tomorrow!

Team lacks skill, but overall should be a fun group to work with. Lucky if we win two games.

Good luck!

I ran tryouts today for our sick coach. 90 kids trying out for 15 spots. I cut about 35 kids just from layup lines!

We have a lot of city kids who think the playground makes them a real baller. I kept it real and said you WILL NOT win games playing like this. We'll see if they want to win or look cool in front of their friends this season.

 

[90BSEE]

I coached middle school. It was a blast. We won a couple of championships.

On the topic of teachers, why are schools hiring so many mentally ill misfits that should be, at best, working at Starbucks or Hot Topic, not teaching children? NONE of my teachers back in the day were like that.

 

[husky429]

On the topic of teachers, why are schools hiring so many mentally ill misfits that should be, at best, working at Starbucks or Hot Topic, not teaching children? NONE of my teachers back in the day were like that.

I'm sure you thought this was clever, but it's not.

I like to pick fights on this place sometimes because it's funny and I'm a fan(atic) in every sense of the word, but people speaking about teachers like this pisses me off.

1) Teaching is exceptionally difficult, now much more so than "in your day" despite making pennies on the dollar compared to others with similar education and skillsets.

I've worked in 2 high schools and 2 middle schools as a teacher, and am now a district employee in a city going around to help teachers turn around the most challenging classrooms (basically... it's complicated). There are no misfits working in our schools, and I work in one of the lowest-performing districts in the state--we don't exactly have cream-of-the-crop teachers. Our teachers are hard-working, smart, and care a hell of a lot about their kids across the board.

I would go ahead and say our WORST teachers are those who just may have been around during "you day." I've only ever had teachers show a lack of empathy, cruelty to students, or just plain not try when they are 50+ and checked out.

2) There is nothing inherently wrong or shameful about working at Starbucks. It is not for people who are "mentally ill misfits." My wife has a law degree from a top school in the country, a master's from UConn, a PhD from an ivy, has solo-authored about a billion papers and has a book coming out next year. She worked at Starbucks during law school. Is she a mentally ill misfit?

The speech that MLK Jr. gave just before he was assassinated wasn't about race specifically. It was about his view that "all labor has dignity"--I encourage you to read it and maybe stop being such a friggen jabroni in the future.

 

[Greedo]

I'm sure you thought this was clever, but it's not.

I like to pick fights on this place sometimes because it's funny and I'm a fan(atic) in every sense of the word, but people speaking about teachers like this pisses me off.

1) Teaching is exceptionally difficult, now much more so than "in your day" despite making pennies on the dollar compared to others with similar education and skillsets.

I've worked in 2 high schools and 2 middle schools as a teacher, and am now a district employee in a city going around to help teachers turn around the most challenging classrooms (basically... it's complicated). There are no misfits working in our schools, and I work in one of the lowest-performing districts in the state--we don't exactly have cream-of-the-crop teachers. Our teachers are hard-working, smart, and care a hell of a lot about their kids across the board.

I would go ahead and say our WORST teachers are those who just may have been around during "you day." I've only ever had teachers show a lack of empathy, cruelty to students, or just plain not try when they are 50+ and checked out.

2) There is nothing inherently wrong or shameful about working at Starbucks. It is not for people who are "mentally ill misfits." My wife has a law degree from a top school in the country, a master's from UConn, a PhD from an ivy, has solo-authored about a billion papers and has a book coming out next year. She worked at Starbucks during law school. Is she a mentally ill misfit?

The speech that MLK Jr. gave just before he was assassinated wasn't about race specifically. It was about his view that "all labor has dignity"--I encourage you to read it and maybe stop being such a friggen jabroni in the future.

I worked at Starbucks when I went back to school to get my teaching cert. Most of the people working there were also in school.

 

[Yardigan]

I worked at Starbucks when I went back to school to get my teaching cert. Most of the people working there were also in school.

Did you have pretend to like the coffee?

 

[Kathy]

Thanks @husky429

 

[Yardigan]

Thanks @husky429

I second that, our daughter is a teacher

 

[Greedo]

Did you have pretend to like the coffee?

Lol I had worked at other independent coffee shops previously with much better coffee. Starbucks paid better and had benefits.

 

[M.S.G.]

I wanted to share here, I'll try to keep it brief but I'm coaching hoops again, middle school in my district.

Background, my 3rd district in 4 years - through no fault of my own. Amongst 35 laid off in a CT district budget disaster, did a year in an urban school in MA and with my resume became a free agent and became able to choose my destination essentially at that point. I picked a nice small district in MA, 20 minute commute - I drive around a lake at sunrise every day. So, I finally found my spot there.

I hadn't coached hoops in the past 2 years, and in doing that my name is cold and especially out here in MA no one knows who I am. The varsity coach @ the high school where I work who I've become friendly with asked me if I'd coach the middle school team. He was super respectful like, I know you've coached high school before and some guys could care less about middle school, but if you're interested I'll get it for you.

I figured if I ever really want to coach at the varsity level again, really make another 10-15 year run somewhere. I'm gonna have to prove it doing something like that, because no one cares if you're an AAU coach.

I have coached for 15 years. Mostly high school, varsity, varsity assistant, and a unique co-coaching situation with my mentor after he had stroke. Coached a kid 15 years ago who ended up going D-1 and plays in Europe. Through the 15 years probably had double digit kids who played D-3. Coached a group from 6th - 12th grade who had more State tournament success than any group in school history. Coached a game @ Mohegan Sun. Two straight conference championship games (lost both unfortunately) since Covid. I understand, this is the equivalent of saying that I had a hot girlfriend at camp last summer. I am proud of those things. They're cool, they're not amazing, I've done some cool stuff but I do not think I'm Coach K or anything. I am just one of a million basketball coaches who thinks he teaches it the right way (we all do don't we?)

My point with that is, I don't think I'm cocky I just think I am super confident with how I approach teaching the game. I am content in my professional situation, home life is great, my wife is all for this. I'm just gonna go absolutely 150% all in to this middle school thing. Gonna teach Pack Line defense 70% of the practice, 10% dribbling drills, 10% shooting - they need to shoot every day, focused shooting, and teach them either a simple Flex or a motion the other 10%.

Part of my philosophy is that Shell Drill literally teaches you the game of basketball. Following those rules, and creating those defensive instincts day in and day out, almost making it muscle memory or rote memory leads to a confident approach - often easy layups, fast breaks and open shots. Once those shots start to go in, and the offense seems "easy" - you have the confidence to use those skills you've been working on. You start to see that 10-12 foot jumper go through, a few layups.. Now you're moving off the ball, got a little extra burst because the blood is flowing. It all connects.

I'm curious to see what others think about that 70/10/10/10 percentage split I mentioned.

So yeah, in short, there's four 7th graders who could be DAMN good high school players, a few 8th graders who might have something, so why the hell not. I'm not gonna half ass this, I'm just gonna teach teach teach teach, not fall into the trap of trying to be the smartest guy in the roon with 20 plays that the kids don't even understand.

I haven't cared about coaching in a while, I really thought I was done. This could easily blow up in my face by game 4 if some parent doesn't think their kid is playing enough and that crap takes over. I am just praying for a chance to do this and keep that messy crap to a minimum.

Thank you for reading my rant, I apologize.

 

[husky429]

I wanted to share here, I'll try to keep it brief but I'm coaching hoops again, middle school in my district.

Background, my 3rd district in 4 years - through no fault of my own. Amongst 35 laid off in a CT district budget disaster, did a year in an urban school in MA and with my resume became a free agent and became able to choose my destination essentially at that point. I picked a nice small district in MA, 20 minute commute - I drive around a lake at sunrise every day. So, I finally found my spot there.

I hadn't coached hoops in the past 2 years, and in doing that my name is cold and especially out here in MA no one knows who I am. The varsity coach @ the high school where I work who I've become friendly with asked me if I'd coach the middle school team. He was super respectful like, I know you've coached high school before and some guys could care less about middle school, but if you're interested I'll get it for you.

I figured if I ever really want to coach at the varsity level again, really make another 10-15 year run somewhere. I'm gonna have to prove it doing something like that, because no one cares if you're an AAU coach.

I have coached for 15 years. Mostly high school, varsity, varsity assistant, and a unique co-coaching situation with my mentor after he had stroke. Coached a kid 15 years ago who ended up going D-1 and plays in Europe. Through the 15 years probably had double digit kids who played D-3. Coached a group from 6th - 12th grade who had more State tournament success than any group in school history. Coached a game @ Mohegan Sun. Two straight conference championship games (lost both unfortunately) since Covid. I understand, this is the equivalent of saying that I had a hot girlfriend at camp last summer. I am proud of those things. They're cool, they're not amazing, I've done some cool stuff but I do not think I'm Coach K or anything. I am just one of a million basketball coaches who thinks he teaches it the right way (we all do don't we?)

My point with that is, I don't think I'm cocky I just think I am super confident with how I approach teaching the game. I am content in my professional situation, home life is great, my wife is all for this. I'm just gonna go absolutely 150% all in to this middle school thing. Gonna teach Pack Line defense 70% of the practice, 10% dribbling drills, 10% shooting - they need to shoot every day, focused shooting, and teach them either a simple Flex or a motion the other 10%.

Part of my philosophy is that Shell Drill literally teaches you the game of basketball. Following those rules, and creating those defensive instincts day in and day out, almost making it muscle memory or rote memory leads to a confident approach - often easy layups, fast breaks and open shots. Once those shots start to go in, and the offense seems "easy" - you have the confidence to use those skills you've been working on. You start to see that 10-12 foot jumper go through, a few layups.. Now you're moving off the ball, got a little extra burst because the blood is flowing. It all connects.

I'm curious to see what others think about that 70/10/10/10 percentage split I mentioned.

So yeah, in short, there's four 7th graders who could be DAMN good high school players, a few 8th graders who might have something, so why the hell not. I'm not gonna half ass this, I'm just gonna teach teach teach teach, not fall into the trap of trying to be the smartest guy in the roon with 20 plays that the kids don't even understand.

I haven't cared about coaching in a while, I really thought I was done. This could easily blow up in my face by game 4 if some parent doesn't think their kid is playing enough and that crap takes over. I am just praying for a chance to do this and keep that messy crap to a minimum.

Thank you for reading my rant, I apologize.

Your head is in the right place, but you'll probably lose middle schoolers if you're practicing defense 70% of the practice. Unless you're including your small-sided games or scrimmages in that too? I'm imagining a practice of 70% shell drills and kids revolting, lol.

Good thing is you can be practicing your defense while also working on skills.mm full-court dribbling drills, pass and cut... whatever.

MS kids want as much competition as possible. They have the attention soan of stale donuts. Have a winner in shooting drills, defense drills, everything if you want them hooked.

Be prepared for 90% of opponents to play exclusively 2-3 zone and full-court press because they suck at coaching and don't want kids to develop actual skills. I'd prioritize a really basic zone offense over a motion offense if you had to pick one.

Does the high school coach run pack? If they're forcing baseline it might be worth teaching that but otherwise using pack principles.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I wanted to share here, I'll try to keep it brief but I'm coaching hoops again, middle school in my district.

Background, my 3rd district in 4 years - through no fault of my own. Amongst 35 laid off in a CT district budget disaster, did a year in an urban school in MA and with my resume became a free agent and became able to choose my destination essentially at that point. I picked a nice small district in MA, 20 minute commute - I drive around a lake at sunrise every day. So, I finally found my spot there.

I hadn't coached hoops in the past 2 years, and in doing that my name is cold and especially out here in MA no one knows who I am. The varsity coach @ the high school where I work who I've become friendly with asked me if I'd coach the middle school team. He was super respectful like, I know you've coached high school before and some guys could care less about middle school, but if you're interested I'll get it for you.

I figured if I ever really want to coach at the varsity level again, really make another 10-15 year run somewhere. I'm gonna have to prove it doing something like that, because no one cares if you're an AAU coach.

I have coached for 15 years. Mostly high school, varsity, varsity assistant, and a unique co-coaching situation with my mentor after he had stroke. Coached a kid 15 years ago who ended up going D-1 and plays in Europe. Through the 15 years probably had double digit kids who played D-3. Coached a group from 6th - 12th grade who had more State tournament success than any group in school history. Coached a game @ Mohegan Sun. Two straight conference championship games (lost both unfortunately) since Covid. I understand, this is the equivalent of saying that I had a hot girlfriend at camp last summer. I am proud of those things. They're cool, they're not amazing, I've done some cool stuff but I do not think I'm Coach K or anything. I am just one of a million basketball coaches who thinks he teaches it the right way (we all do don't we?)

My point with that is, I don't think I'm cocky I just think I am super confident with how I approach teaching the game. I am content in my professional situation, home life is great, my wife is all for this. I'm just gonna go absolutely 150% all in to this middle school thing. Gonna teach Pack Line defense 70% of the practice, 10% dribbling drills, 10% shooting - they need to shoot every day, focused shooting, and teach them either a simple Flex or a motion the other 10%.

Part of my philosophy is that Shell Drill literally teaches you the game of basketball. Following those rules, and creating those defensive instincts day in and day out, almost making it muscle memory or rote memory leads to a confident approach - often easy layups, fast breaks and open shots. Once those shots start to go in, and the offense seems "easy" - you have the confidence to use those skills you've been working on. You start to see that 10-12 foot jumper go through, a few layups.. Now you're moving off the ball, got a little extra burst because the blood is flowing. It all connects.

I'm curious to see what others think about that 70/10/10/10 percentage split I mentioned.

So yeah, in short, there's four 7th graders who could be DAMN good high school players, a few 8th graders who might have something, so why the hell not. I'm not gonna half ass this, I'm just gonna teach teach teach teach, not fall into the trap of trying to be the smartest guy in the roon with 20 plays that the kids don't even understand.

I haven't cared about coaching in a while, I really thought I was done. This could easily blow up in my face by game 4 if some parent doesn't think their kid is playing enough and that crap takes over. I am just praying for a chance to do this and keep that messy crap to a minimum.

Thank you for reading my rant, I apologize.

I'm now in my tenth? year of middle school coaching at a small international middle school where a small minority of my players play basketball outside of school or watch any basketball, so obviously I have a very different context than you.

That being said, I don't have games until January, so my 50 minute practices, 2x a week are I'd say 50% skill building (including defense), 30% BBIQ (shell drill; motion-ish type movement either 5-out of 4-out; 4-on-3 halfcourt "scrimmages" where the 3 defenders work on help defense and aren't allowed to guard a specific player) and then 20% open scrimmage.

I also talk about non-negotiables: be a good teammate; be prepared; put in a strong effort at all times. I love this, because one of my most "skilled" players is a stare-at-the-ground overdribbler with the worst conditioning on the team and can't play a lick of defense. Softer than Armando Bacot. I've already told him "just to let you know, I'll probably start you, but the way you are playing, I doubt you can handle two or three minutes on the court at a time".

My best non-basketball players are usually the high-IQ soccer players (most of our kids are excellent soccer players) who know how to cut, find open space, and move without the ball without any plays drawn up. They make our motion offense sing. With the way my roster is set up, I'll probably have two of my four knowledgable basketball players on at all times, and then two high-IQ soccer players and then sprinkle in some of the duds (I've got three out of 13) who will only earn playing time if they at least fake that they are trying on defense.

 

[tzznandrew]

Your head is in the right place, but you'll probably lose middle schoolers if you're practicing defense 70% of the practice. Unless you're including your small-sided games or scrimmages in that too? I'm imagining a practice of 70% shell drills and kids revolting, lol.

Good thing is you can be practicing your defense while also working on skills.mm full-court dribbling drills, pass and cut... whatever.

MS kids want as much competition as possible. They have the attention soan of stale donuts. Have a winner in shooting drills, defense drills, everything if you want them hooked.

Be prepared for 90% of opponents to play exclusively 2-3 zone and full-court press because they suck at coaching and don't want kids to develop actual skills. I'd prioritize a really basic zone offense over a motion offense if you had to pick one.

Does the high school coach run pack? If they're forcing baseline it might be worth teaching that but otherwise using pack principles.

When I coached girls basketball, the 2-3 was literally all we faced. We needed a press break, a 2-3 offense, and that was about it for the offensive end. It was so easy—even with a mediocre team—to rack up wins teaching tough MTM defense and mixing it up with an occasional 1-3-1 after timeouts because I knew the opposing coaches would have no idea how to run against it.

 

[tzznandrew]

My best non-basketball players are usually the high-IQ soccer players (most of our kids are excellent soccer players) who know how to cut, find open space, and move without the ball without any plays drawn up. They make our motion offense sing.

I had a junior come out because her friend begged her. Excellent soccer player. Took her half a season to be a starter. High motor. High intelligence. Very coachable. Low BB skills, but a dog on defense and a very good cutter/passer. I just thought how sad it was that she came to basketball so late. I think she genuinely could have played at college if she got into the sport sooner.

She ended up going to Brown and did a "sport" there: sailing. I think that gives you a sense of the type of students I generally work with. lol

 

[husky429]

When I coached girls basketball, the 2-3 was literally all we faced. We needed a press break, a 2-3 offense, and that was about it for the offensive end. It was so easy—even with a mediocre team—to rack up wins teaching tough MTM defense and mixing it up with an occasional 1-3-1 after timeouts because I knew the opposing coaches would have no idea how to run against it.

I really don't know much about the girls game, but for the boys, it's SUCH a disservice to run the 2-3 zone constantly the way they do. By varsity basketball, you have at least 3 guys most years who can penetrate and shoot over a zone. It's helpful in stints, but the teams who use a 2-3 zone as their base defense are getting their asses kicked most nights and just using it to not get blown out.

As a varsity coach, you need as many kids as possible who can help baseline, stunt on the perimeter, communicate switches, hedge, etc. 2-3 extra years of learning those skills in middle school puts them WAY ahead of many of their peers when they reach freshman basketball. It's excruciating trying to teach help defense--what should have been a habit years ago!

My first year coaching JV basketball, I took a group who only one a single game as freshman running a 2-3, and with the exact same kids went something like 13-4. I didn't do a single thing different on offense. I barely ran any plays, just 4-out pass and screen away and a basic zone offense. I told the kids 100% of your playing time is based on how you defend in man-to-man and we practiced defense constantly. They went 19-5 as seniors playing varsity, I believe.

Side note: My zone offense is awesome. If anyone wants me to draw it up, shoot me a DM and I'll send it.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I had a junior come out because her friend begged her. Excellent soccer player. Took her half a season to be a starter. High motor. High intelligence. Very coachable. Low BB skills, but a dog on defense and a very good cutter/passer. I just thought how sad it was that she came to basketball so late. I think she genuinely could have played at college if she got into the sport sooner.

She ended up going to Brown and did a "sport" there: sailing. I think that gives you a sense of the type of students I generally work with. lol

Honestly, from the sound of it, I wouldn't be surprised if my kids matriculate to your high school after they graduate from eighth grade.