Catching up!

It's amazing how time passes, three months and a few days to be exact. Let me catch up a bit. The ACL clinic in October was a start for what I hope to be an annual event of bringing in experts to discuss topics related to injury reduction and sports performance. Participants learned about the structure and function of the knee and exercises they can and should be doing to reduce the likelihood of injury. Athletes that play volleyball, basketball and soccer are at higher risk for this injury due to the landing force from a jump if force is not absorbed properly and the twisting action at the knee if not changing directions properly. I am pleased to say that jumping, landing, and change of direction technique are cornerstones of the RHS conditioning program. These skills are instructed in all of my conditioning classes as well as to student athletes that visit the weight room with their team or as individuals.

The time warp that I've been in the past three months is called being a candidate for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. I won't fully emerge from this until March 31, 2009, when all my entries and documentation are submitted for review. In short, the process involves extensive description, analysis, and reflexion on what I do as a teacher and how it impacts student learning. There are four separate entries, each with a different focus. Entry one focuses on instruction of motor skill development. Entry two is about assessment strategies and how I use assessment to guide my teaching and student learning. In entry three I need to demonstrate how I establish a safe and positive learning environment for all students. And for entry four, I need to show how I impact student learning beyond the classroom setting, for example, working with students in the weight room after school or over the summer. Lessons are video taped and assessments are collected then I go through the process of describing, analyzing, and reflecting on what I did and why. The process is time consuming, challenging, but highly rewarding! I've learned so much about myself as a teacher already and I feel that going through this process will bring the best out of me as a teacher!

I'd like to just take a moment to reflect on the accomplishment of the football team this past fall, finishing with a winning record of 5-4! I have the pleasure of working closely with the team as their conditioning coach throughout the year. The time, energy, and commitment put in by the players throughout the Spring and Summer payed off! There is plenty more to accomplish though as we get ready to start the process all over again this January!

Finally, enjoy the rest of winter break and good luck to the winter sports teams! We look forward to cheering you on after the break!

yours in strength,

Coach Katinas