Bob Slavens story…
Most of today will be spent on how to help you prepare your students. But before we begin, I want to talk about how to prepare you.
Ten Commandments of Coaching Speech:
Thou shalt stop griping. You are teaching the most important skill in your school’s extra-curricular offerings. Yea, it’s tough, but so what? Nothing your school can offer will match what you can give them in speech. Ease up. Stop your moaning. Good stuff is tough stuff. WHOEVER SAID “GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST…” WHEN YOU’RE AROUND ME, DON’T. IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR SCHOOL, HOLY OF HOLIES…
What you don’t know, won’t hurt your students all that much. It’s the experience that counts. PRESIDENT CLINTON: “IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID.” FOR US, IT’S THE EXPERIENCE.
Thou shalt stop fighting your way through the speech season. Hardly anyone in your school knows as much about the value of speech as you do. Don’t be disappointed or surprised if the administrators and coaches have little idea how much good you’re doing. YOU HAVE A GOOD SCHOOL BECAUSE OF SOME PEOPLE, AND IN SPITE OF SOME OTHER PEOPLE. DON’T LET ‘EM GET TO YOU. EASE UP. I’LL BET THE RANCH ON WHICH ONE OF YOU GOES TO BED HAPPIER AT NIGHT.
Thou shalt be nice to yourself. For the next two months, you may be the only one who is.
Thou shalt not be too disappointed if not all your students do what they say they will. If you look around, you’ll realize that neither their parents nor all their teachers do either.
If you truly want your students believe that you’re not competing against the other schools, then you must believe it yourself. YOU ARE PRACTICALLY THE ONLY EXTRA-CURRICULAR COACH ON YOUR STAFF WHO DOESN’T HAVE TO BEAT SOMEBODY TO WIN. DON’T BE SUCKED IN BY THEIR ATTITUDE.
BE BLESSED IF YOUR COMMUNITY DOESN’T CARE AS MUCH ABOUT SPEECH AS THEY DO ABOUT SPORTS. DO YOU REALLY WANT PARENTS STOPPING YOU AS YOU LEAVE THE GYM AFTER THE GAME?
Thou shalt realize that every child in contest is your child. You must be an encourager of everyone. AS A TEACHER, EVERY CHILD MUST BE YOUR CHILD. OUR HEAD FOOTBALL COACH IS A FORMER JR HIGH SPEECH STUDENT OF MINE. HE CARES AS MUCH ABOUT THE BOYS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIELD AS HE DOES HIS. AND HE WILL TELL YOU, “IN SPEECH, I LEARNED THAT WE AREN’T REALLY ON SEPARATE TEAMS.”
Thou shalt not peek at the athletic coach’s salaries unless you’re the type who enjoys beating yourself over the head with a hammer. God doesn’t draw big pay, why should you?
Thou shalt realize that when it comes to kids, your toughest challenges will be your greatest victories and the final ranking will never tell a thing about who’s come the furthest.
If you’re waitin’ for thanks, partner, then you’re in the wrong corral. CONWAY TWITTY story.
Welcome to the IESA state speech workshop. One thing I want you to remember, we own this ranch. Speech rules are set by teachers just like you who take a personal or workshop day to drive to Bloomington once or twice a year, have sandwiches catered in, and try out best to do what you want and what’s best for our kids. We own this ranch.. you and I. If you don’t like the way the herd’s goin’, let us know. We’ll change it… or at least try to shoot the herd bull.
Please do more than listen today, talk to people. I hope that all presenters will leave time for sharing. I desperately want to know what you know. This is not a football convention where we’re afraid of giving away our plays. It’s more like the AMA. You might have the miracle cure that I need.
Song…