The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Teachers who coach a special breed
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: May 10, 2007
They yell.
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They inspire.
They strategize.
They plan.
And that's just in the classroom.
Teachers, who also double as coaches, are special individuals, indeed.
They spend most of their time at school, in their classrooms and either on the field, at the rink or in the gym. They have dedicated a large portion of their lives to their students.
And they wouldn't have it any other way.
"Coaching and teaching are very demanding professions, much more than most people can imagine, that require great commitment of time and energy, but the opportunity to help young people develop as students, athletes and people can be a great reward," said Dexter's Randy Swoverland, who's doubled as a math teacher and boys' basketball coach for the past 31 years. "I have always enjoyed athletics and coaching/teaching allows me to remain in that arena."
Chelsea teacher and cross country and track and field coach Eric Swager said doing double-duty for most of his 15 years on the job has been a pleasure.
"My favorite part is just interacting with the kids and watching them improve," he said. "The competence of the assistant coaches and volunteers makes my job much easier. Also, the support of my wife is wonderful.
"My theory is if I am to ask the kids to work hard in pursuit of excellence, I must be willing to work as hard or harder as their coach. It all starts with attitude and just plain making it happen."
Chris Orlandi has been juggling the dual duties of math teacher and girls' varsity soccer coach for all of his 13 years at Chelsea.
"I love coaching," he said. "I love the thrill of competition. I love working with kids both inside and outside of the school setting. Anyone who says they can handle everything without it getting crazy is a miracle worker. I feel like I'm scrambling to survive all of the time. Dealing with teaching, coaching, church responsibilities, family responsibilities is so challenging."
Orlandi said being a teacher and a coach are both quite similar.
"Coaching is similar to teaching in that organization and leadership are vital to the group's success," he said. "The major difference between the responsibilities is that the kids I coach are motivated to be out there with me so I have a more captive audience."
Jaime Dudash has been a Dexter teacher and Dreadnaught boys' cross country coach since 1998.
"It can be a challenge to effectively balance both assignments," he said. "It is important to remember that the primary commitment is to the students in your classroom. But for so many students it is the extra curriculars in life that can be the motivating factors to keep them excited about academics."
Dudash, who's led Dexter to five straight Division II boys' cross country state championships, said the key to being a successful teacher and coach is balance and perspective.
"I try to do as many things as I can that matter," he said. "And I've tried to learn how to leave some of the things that won't (matter) out. What I find the more I teach is that you actually become a better educator when you learn to balance the two."
Dexter Athletic Director John Robinson said having teachers in the building that also coach is a benefit to his program.
"Absolutely," he said. "As a teacher you're better equipped to coach. They already know how to work with kids. Just because you were a good athlete, doesn't mean you can always teach someone. Also, the teacher/coach is more adept working with and communicating with parents.
"It's a benefit having the coach in the (school) building. They're able to see the athlete every day. Academic and discipline issues get addressed better. It's also much easier to communicate with a coach who's in the building."
Chelsea Athletic Director Wayne Welton said over 80 percent of Bulldog coaches are also teachers.
"Our percentage of teacher/coaches is uniquely high in the state," he said. "I think that helps with our success. The coach sees the athlete in the hallways and in class. The athlete also knows the coach."
Dudash summed up the teacher/coach reward best.
"When that lightbulb goes on and a student begins to make that conscious decision to do well in school and give their best, or the athlete that presses through one threshold of pain to breakthrough and compete at the next level, it's tremendously rewarding," he said. "Few professions offer the opportunity to be a part of these magical moments in a young person's life."
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