Slowing for Momentum
Dear Teacher,
Several years ago, I accompanied a fifth grade field trip to Charlotte, NC. Home of the NASCAR Speedway, an obvious "educational" must-do for this class of mostly boys was to tour the NASCAR Hall of Fame. As a testament to stock car racing, we entered the track-shaped building to learn about the drivers, crew chiefs, and broadcasters who contributed to the sport. As part of our tour, we walked the banked Glory Road lined with racing vehicles dating back 75 years. Students joined the "Pit Crew," to try their hand at changing a tire at lightening speed. Next, they "soaked up" a history of motorsports in the High Octane Theater. But the hands-down favorite experience of the day was the Racing Simulator.
The Racing Simulator offered, at a costly per-ticket investment, the opportunity for students to get behind the wheel of a NASCAR stock car replica. After clambering into the cars, kids competed against 15 other competitors in a side-by-side race to the virtual finish line. With every curve in the track, all the action was broadcast on a giant 50-foot overhead video screen.
After watching the first few competitors, I, too, squeezed into the caged driver's seat and placed my surprisingly sweaty palms on the mock steering wheel. "I've got this," I cajoled myself, holding tight to the knowledge that I had 30+ years of actual driving experience advantage on my 11-year old competitors. In a flash, the checkered flag waved and we were off! I gunned it, easing out into the lead as novice drivers quickly spun out and crashed in the median. However, as I gained momentum, I realized something critical: If I didn't slow down for the sharp 36-degree slopes of the simulated speedway, I wouldn't be able to speed up in the straightaways. I quickly learned to brake in anticipation of the curve, so that I could safely navigate the bends in the road and then slowly increase to build momentum for the finish line (If you're wondering, I came in second, graciously forfeiting my almost-win to another chaperone).
And you, Teacher, there in your classroom, are in your own race-to-the-finish-line of summer. You likely feel squeezed into the driver's seat of your Educator role, holding tightly to the knowledge that you have a lot of experience. And yet, as you gain momentum with curriculum, behavioral management strategies, and student rapport, you've also realized something critical: If you don't slow down for the curves, you won't be able to speed up in the straightaways. So when life slopes hard to the right with the demands of health, family, and capacity, hit those brakes! You may have to downshift for medical appointments, or self-care, or marriage repair. And when life slopes hard to the left with workplace trauma, or position changes, or moving to a new place of employment, pump the brakes so that you can safely navigate those bends in the road! Do it! Don't take the risk of spinning out at the costly price of over-investment! Once you're on the other side, the road will be there waiting for you and you'll eventually build momentum to celebrate your successful completion of a race well done!
Rounding my own life-curve,
Christian Educator & School Counselor