Mike Roberts - Chasing Greatness: 26.2 Ways Teaching Is Like Running a Marathon

Chasing Greatness

2019 by Times 10 Publications

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing by the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. For information regarding permission, contact the publisher at mark@times10books.com .

These books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums, promotions, fundraising, and educational use. For inquiries

and details, contact us at Times10Books.com.

Published by Times 10

Highland Heights, OH

Times10Books.com

Cover Design by Najdan Mancic

Interior Design by Steven Plummer

Editing by Carrie White-Parrish

Proofreading by Jennifer Jas

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-948212-12-0

First Printing: February, 2019

Table of Contents

The Starting Line

The miracle isnt that I finished. Its that I had the courage to start.

John Bingham, Author and Forty-Time Marathon Finisher

Ugh. Why would you want to do that?

Not exactly words of encouragement, eh?

But those are the words I consistently heard when speaking with my friends and family about two life-altering decisions Ive made in the past twenty years. Those two decisions?

Becoming a middle-school teacher and running a marathon.

Now dont get me wrong; I understand their logic. Spending day after day sitting in a room with a bunch of thirteen-year-olds generally doesnt rank too high on a persons wish list. The same holds true for all the training hours that go into prepping for a marathon, let alone the 26.2 miles you have to run during the marathon itself.

But after twenty years of teaching and more than fifty marathons (as well as longer distances), I have come to the conclusion that choosing to become a teacher and a marathon runner are two of the best decisions I ever made in my life. Some of my fondest memories have taken place either in a classroom or during a run, and I cant imagine what my life would be like if neither played a major role in my daily routine. And when I take things a step further and look at the two side by side, I cant help but notice multiple parallels between them. In fact, I found 26.2 of them.

Before I get into this, let me make something clear: While I may make numerous references to running and the races Ive done, this is a book about how to overcome obstacles in teaching and life. Throughout my career, I have seen too many teachers enter the profession... and then leave within five years. Ive also seen my share of educators lose their passion for teaching, yet hang on for no reason other than the fact that teaching is what they are comfortable doing. Both these scenarios are major concerns that impact the quality of education, and I hope this book can help.

This book will identify some of the challenges a marathon runner faces, and then illustrate how those same struggles relate to teaching. Each chapter serves as a mile marker of the marathon course, and is broken down into five sections:

• The Warmup. Each chapter opens with a story or reflection about the challenges that arise when attempting to run a marathon. This section will include everything from personal vignettes to general insights about running.
• Aid Station. At the conclusion of the Warmup, I will offer three aid station questions (how, when, and why) to help you reflect on how the ideas from the Warmup connect to the broader aspects of life. These questions also serve as a bridge to many of the topics Ill be addressing in the Final Kick section of the chapter.
• The Final Kick. This section details the hardships of teaching that resemble challenges from the world of running, and presents solutions. Like the Warmup, this portion will include both personal and universal thoughts about the classroom experience.
• The Cool Down. This segment links the Warmup and the Final Kick by summarizing the key concepts identified throughout the chapter.
• Tomorrows Training Plan. Each chapter closes with three action steps, based on ideas and strategies from the chapter, that can be immediately implemented into tomorrows teaching day.
• Teacher/Runner Profile. As an added bonus, every chapter includes the profile of either a teacher or a runner that connects his or her personal views and experiences to the topic addressed within the chapter.

Im not going to lie: Running a marathon and teaching are both really, really hard endeavors to tackle. But thats also what makes them so special. Im hopeful that the ideas Im sharing here can help you reach your new personal best in both.

My Teacher Profile

Name: Mike Roberts

Teaching Experience: Twenty years

Level: Middle school

Content Area: English

Q1: What does being a teacher mean to you?

Being a teacher means having the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of students each and every day. It means challenging myself to be a better teacher today than I was yesterday. It means having the opportunity to learn from my failures, and coming out a better teacher and person as a result. It means getting the chance to laugh with, struggle next to, and grow alongside my students. Essentially, being a teacher means that I have the greatest job in the world.

Q2: What has teaching taught you about life?

Out of all my experiences, I feel confident in saying that teaching has taught me more about life than anything else. First, teaching has taught me that everyone screws up, and when they do, they deserve a chance to redeem themselves. I have never once regretted giving a student a second chance, but I have regretted not offering the opportunity. Next, teaching has taught me to look for the good in people rather than thinking the worst of them. Early in my career, I lacked trust in my students, and I had a range of consequences in place for when students broke the rules. Today, I focus on trusting my students to do whats right rather than waiting for them to do something wrong. Finally, teaching has taught me to appreciate the little things in life. I now understand that a smile, a kind word, or a friendly note can go a long way in making someones day.

Q3: What is the best piece of teaching advice youve ever been given?

Your students will remember how you treat them a lot longer than what you teach them. Actions speak louder than words, so its important that you show your students you care for them and are proud of them rather than just assuming they know. While a grade at the top of a paper is nice, it will mean much more to students if you pull them aside in the hall, give them a high-five, and tell them you are proud of their efforts. Being an effective teacher isnt about that one big thing you do, but instead is about those one hundred little things you do!

Mile 1

T eaching I s L ike Running a Marathon Because . . .

It Requires Commitment

The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.

Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon Winner

The Warmup: The Running Begins

The year was 2007. I was an out-of-shape and overweight thirty-three-year-old, and in an attempt to turn my health around, I decided I was going to run from my house to the local high school, run four laps around the track, then head back home. All told, this journey should have been about 1.5 miles.