The Powers of a Coach

           

Figure 1

Kim Possible is known for beating up bad guys and saving the world, but she also coaches a little league soccer team on her days off (Figure 1). All you have to do is call and beep her! Even a superhero knows that being a role model for kids just like you, is just as important to saving the world. Do you ever wonder how you got so talented at the sport you are currently playing? The determination to get better does have to come from inside you, but your coach also has an impact on your skills. A mentor or a coach is defined as a "relationship with an advisor or peer who acts as a role model" (2).Coaching and mentoring are the same in many ways because both are there to help you positively. The real question is, do you have what it takes to become the best? 

                                                                  How Coaches Help!

Figure 2

Kim Possible and your coach have many similarities on how they teach you and your teammates. Showing good behavior, focusing on the positive, and encouraging others are the basics for being a helpful coach and mentor (1). For example, have you ever said a bad word because you heard someone else say it? This is where your coaches need to be careful. They are one of the role models in your life that are supposed to show you good behavior. Figure 2 lets you see how Kim is helping a young athlete understand what he did wrong. She realizes that being a coach means teaching them more than just the sport. This also goes along with focusing on the positive. Instead of getting frustrated and quitting at something you just can't get down, your coach is there to give you a boost. The more positive they are to you, the more you want to reach your goal. Their purpose is to not let you quit, but to succeed. Encouragement is one of the other ways that your coach should be there for you. For instance, if you score a goal in one of your soccer games, high fives and "good jobs" should be surrounding you. These actions and words are keeping your love for the game. Seeing someone that has such a positive influence on life, makes you think how do I become a coach? 

Becoming a Mentor/Coach

Figure 3

Being a role model for kids takes more than just a sign-up sheet. Each coach you experience playing a sport with, all have specific skills. Leadership and listening are the qualities that a coach must present to their team. If you decide to become a coach, you need to be able to have control over your players. They aren't going to learn if all they do is goof off and not practice. As a coach, you are supposed to keep them focused and guide them to success. A role model who leads them will see a positive outcome in their young athletes in not just the sport, but in life itself. The other skill that coaches need to focus on is to listen to their team. Kids should be able to ask their coach questions if they don't understand how to do a skill or play. Figure 3 helps show how Kim is trying to teach her team how to kick a soccer ball. Kim Possible listened to what the kids needed help with and taught them the right way. A coach will only be able to help their athlete if they listen to them and teach them what they need to know. This will lead your future team to success. 

                                                                     Call Me, Beep Me, If You Wanna Coach Me!

Kim possible is here to tell you that there is more than just being a coach. It takes a set of skills and practice to be the best coach that you can be. Even fighting evil won't hold Kim back from helping her little league soccer team. Being a coach is more than just how many wins and losses you have. It's about making a positive impact on the kids and being a role model. It takes a special kind of person to do this job. 

 Here is a video of how coaches impacted kids just like you.                            

References 

(1) Peer-to-peer mentorship among young athletes. (2016, April 7). Retrieved April 13, 2017, from http://globalsportsdevelopment.org/peer-to-peer-mentorship-among-youth-athletes/

(2)Yu, Andrea (2017). The Power of Mentors and Sponsors. Retrieved from  http://web.b.ebscohost.com/

Figure 1: Coach Possible [Web Image]. Retrieved from http://kimpossible.wikia.com/wiki/Coach_Possible

Figure 2: Kim Possible [Web Image]. Retrieved from  https://wn.com/kim_possible_s1e11_coach_possible

Figure 3: Coach Possible [Web Image]. (2015).  Retrieved from http://fanaru.com/kim-possible/image/76650/coach-possible-episode-screencap-1x11-screenshot/

Students Helping Students

Students Helping Students

Figure 1 Student helping Student do homework

Have you ever needed a little extra help in school, but no teachers were available to help? This happens to a lot of students your age. There is a way that you can solve this problem or help your fellow classmates. This is through a program most schools call mentoring, in this blog you will learn all about student to student mentoring. 

Figure 2 Why mentoring

        Student to student mentoring is the type of mentoring you as a student will mostly be involved in. These programs are just as they seem. They can be used for new student in a school or students who just need a little extra help in a school subject. If the student is new to the school the mentor is really there to show them around and be a friend for the first week or two after they moved. While this student is new they may not know how to find their classes yet so the mentor will make sure that the mentee gets to class on time with no issues. 

Figure 3 benefits of  mentoring

        Another type of student to student mentoring is for students who need a little extra help in a class that they are struggling in. This program is kind of like tutoring but the difference is that with the mentoring you can build a relationship with the mentor and work on more than just school work. This program usually meets once  or twice a week depending on the need of the mentee. In this program they go over the home work, study for tests and quizzes, and also try to work out anything that my have confused them in class about a certain lesson.

          If your interested in getting involved as a mentor or mentee there are a few things you need to do. The first thing is to talk to you school and if there is a program available, if not maybe you can get one started. The next thing is to figure out the requirements if the school has a program. There may be different requirements for mentor versus mentee. Once you find out the requirements and fill them you can sign up and begin helping your classmates or getting help from another student. Another thing to do is if you feel you need a mentor and your school does not have a program, there is still a way you can get the help you need. There is program out there that is called Big Brother Big Sister of America and this is found in many communities. To see if there is a program available in you community here is a like that will help you and your parents learn more about the program: Big Bother Big Sister link.

References

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. (2016). Retrieved April 13, 2017, from http://www.bbbs.org/

Carden, A. (n.d.). The Inspired Counselor. Retrieved May 01, 2017, from http://theinspiredcounselor.blogspot.com/2014/06/student-mentor-program.html

Free Student Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from http://www.discoveryeducation.com//students/?campaign=flyout_students

Mentoring school students - a win win situation. (2016). Food New Zealand, 16(6), 42.

(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from http://www.cbapkids.com/about/