5th Grade Volleyball Team
Volleyball and kids happen to be two of my favorite things, and I was fortunate enough to experience this past spring. I took on the role of coaching a 5th grade volleyball team. I volunteered to spend every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and occasional weekends with this crazy group of 5th grade girls. Safe to say I did not fully know what I was getting myself into, but I do not regret my decision to coach one bit. The first day of practice was crazy. The gym was full of smiling, screaming, dancing 5th grade girls. At that moment I thought how am I going to deal with this all season. Throughout the season the girls grew on me. I got to know more about them and all the 5th grade drama. The best part was getting to know their parents and having
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relationships with them. The parents were awesome and they showed an appreciation for me that I will never forget. From constantly thanking me and explaining how their child loves coming to volleyball, these parents really made me feel like I was making an impact on their kids. Of course the season challenged me a lot too. There was times when I would just want to scream at practice out of frustration.
Their short attention spans, and inability to be quiet when I was talking really tested me. Coaching gave me a sense of maturity and responsibility. One girl on my team has major family issues and would often come to practice crying. Helping her each practice and seeing her happiness increase and confidence go up throughout the season was so rewarding. Although the season is over, my relationships with these girls certainly is not. When I see these girls around I see them get a huge smile on their face that matches mine. It is so great to see them so happy to see me, that confirms that all the time spent with them meant something to them. I will snapchat them and get updated on their lives, mostly who their boyfriend of that week is. They have told me all about middle school and say how excited they are to see me come present to their classes. My favorite location to see them is at my own varsity volleyball games. This is where I get to show them everything I had been teaching them all summer. This pushes me to lead by example. If I made a mistake I remember they are in the stands watching me, watching to see how I react. I love that they push me to be
better. They hold me to the standards I hold them to. Coaching this team has changed me as a person for the better. It has taught me great responsibility and maturity. From handing a group of 5th grade girls to dealing with family and personal issues, I believe this experience has better prepared for my future.
relationships with them. The parents were awesome and they showed an appreciation for me that I will never forget. From constantly thanking me and explaining how their child loves coming to volleyball, these parents really made me feel like I was making an impact on their kids. Of course the season challenged me a lot too. There was times when I would just want to scream at practice out of frustration.
Their short attention spans, and inability to be quiet when I was talking really tested me. Coaching gave me a sense of maturity and responsibility. One girl on my team has major family issues and would often come to practice crying. Helping her each practice and seeing her happiness increase and confidence go up throughout the season was so rewarding. Although the season is over, my relationships with these girls certainly is not. When I see these girls around I see them get a huge smile on their face that matches mine. It is so great to see them so happy to see me, that confirms that all the time spent with them meant something to them. I will snapchat them and get updated on their lives, mostly who their boyfriend of that week is. They have told me all about middle school and say how excited they are to see me come present to their classes. My favorite location to see them is at my own varsity volleyball games. This is where I get to show them everything I had been teaching them all summer. This pushes me to lead by example. If I made a mistake I remember they are in the stands watching me, watching to see how I react. I love that they push me to be
better. They hold me to the standards I hold them to. Coaching this team has changed me as a person for the better. It has taught me great responsibility and maturity. From handing a group of 5th grade girls to dealing with family and personal issues, I believe this experience has better prepared for my future.