What Educators can Learn From Athletes

The Olympics got me thinking -  or maybe it's the evenings spent driving to and from my kids’ sporting events, but I’ve been thinking about what we educators can learn from athletes. (And if you are an athlete AND an educator, please let me know if my thinking is on track.)  Athletes focus on the big picture, doing their best now but also creating conditions to become even better. Here are a few things I think we educators can borrow:

Watch game film - 

Athletes analyze film from their games. They look at what didn’t happen, what did happen, and how they could have responded differently. Teachers can do the same! A few weeks ago, a teacher candidate shared with me that she felt like a football player because she had been filming herself for a state teaching assessment. And - she is totally right! She also said she learned so much about herself and her teaching from watching the film. She said she saw things happening that she didn’t see in the moment of teaching, and she was able to reflect on what she could do differently. She also saw some really cool “aha” moments from students that she didn’t catch in person. I know this is a big ask - it’s a little CRINGE to watch yourself on video, but it’s worth it! You can start small. Maybe film your introduction to a lesson and rewatch, or start with a lesson or part of a lesson you are confident about. (Of course, check with your school about videotaping students if there is a student in your shot.

Build-in rest-

Athletes don’t just go full throttle day in and day out. They take time to rest their bodies. There is built-in downtime, and sometimes other self-care methods, such as massages, physical therapy, cold plunges, or hot soaks. A few years ago, I met a professional soccer player and asked him what he did on the nights he had a game. He told me he slept in, ate a healthy breakfast, and then vegged around the house until it was time to warm up with his teammates. He built in rest. Teachers can do this too! Looking ahead, if you have an evening event, such as an open house, build in some downtime beforehand to rest up (and some rest afterward!). And rest doesn’t just have to follow or precede a big event; you should rest daily - consider setting aside small five-minute breaks to reset.

Fuel your body - 

Athletes focus on nutrition and often manage their macronutrients (those are carbohydrates, fat, and protein). You don’t need to be totally zoned into the “macros” to healthily fuel your body. I know that when I eat better, it helps me keep up my energy and fights off the crankiness. Keep nutritious snacks (or something other than a candy bar) on hand, and prep your lunch and snacks ahead of time. This is where meal prepping can come in handy. It may seem like an extra chore to plan and prep your meals, but you can keep it simple. And, here’s a tip - ask AI to for help with this. I used the following prompt in an AI chat: “Create a teacher-friendly (no need for fridge or microwave) school lunch and snack plan for a week that is easy to prep on Sunday in less than an hour.” I had five easy-to-prep lunch options and many snacks to choose from. You can fine-tune the prompt to AI to get exactly what you need.

Educators are in it for the long haul, so take care of yourself!