Sixth Grade Teachers

“An expert in anything was once a beginner.”

A poster hangs in the corner of my classroom at Trinity. It’s small and unobtrusive. Most likely, it has gone unnoticed by the countless students, teachers, and parents who enter my room on a daily basis. The photograph that accompanies the quote is of a young boy looking out onto an empty baseball field. In his left hand, he holds his glove, his bat is propped on his right shoulder, and his jersey, perfectly tucked into his pants, is white, clean, and crisp. Although I can’t see this young boy’s face, I am certain that I know what lies ahead for him. It’s what any beginning brings.

When I was in junior high, I decided to try out for the volleyball team. I had never played volleyball before, I didn’t know the rules, and I definitely didn’t have any of the equipment (shoes, kneepads, etc) necessary to “look the part.” After a valiant, three-day effort, I learned that I missed the cut and did not make the team.

The next fall, when I was a ninth grader, I decided to try again. I had a better idea of what to expect, I pleaded with my mother to buy special volleyball shoes and kneepads, and I spent the week before tryouts practicing in my back yard with anyone who offered to help. I stayed up late, woke up early, and did my best to master the game of volleyball in seven days. Although I hadn’t put forth much effort over the course of year, I had improved and was determined to make the team.

After three days of try-outs, again, I missed the cut.

There was something about the sport of volleyball that was contagious. Although I had failed to make the team two years in a row, I was determined to try out one more time. Over my ninth grade year, I spent countless hours in my backyard practicing passing, setting, and hitting. I went to junior varsity and varsity volleyball games. I made an appointment with the varsity coach and talked to her about summer camps. I registered for two volleyball camps and gave 100% effort at both. As I tenth grader, I walked into try-outs with only one thing on my mind. I was going to make the team.

And, I did.

As I look at the poster on my wall, I realize that we often see images of successful professional athletes “making it look easy.” My favorite one portrays Michael Jordan gracefully dunking from the free throw line. These types of posters, although inspiring, don’t tell the whole story. They leave out the years of practice. They leave out the hard work and disappointment. They leave out the total failures. They leave out the discipline, perseverance, and risk-taking required to be successful and to become an expert.

Even today, I am certain that I am not an expert at volleyball. It’s probably in the top five things “that I am great at,” but I am far from an expert. However, I am also certain that because of discipline, perseverance, and risk-taking, I am not a beginner either.

This I know for sure: Becoming an expert is a process, and every process begins with a first step. First steps can be embarrassing. Practice can be hard. Experiences as a beginner can be difficult- especially when we are compared to the experts.

I like this poster because it captures a young boy’s first step. It reminds me of the many “first steps” that I have taken to get me where I am today. It inspires me to look for places to begin finding new passions, new friendships, new experiences.

What first steps will you take today?

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 at 5:24 pm and is filed under Word. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.