Vent about calling a classroom teacher "Coach"

[tlgoblue]

Sounds to me like your issue is with the high status placed on athletics in your community. This is a real hotbutton issue. Still, I think calling a teacher coach is appropriate. I dont think it diminishes the high esteem to which we should hold our teachers, and maybe it is, in their mind, a less formal address than Mr. or Mrs. so and so. You know, "Hey Coach, I'm not clear on that last point. Could you go over it again?" Instead of "Excuse me Mr. So and So, could you please repeat that last part?" Just maybe it makes them feel more approachable.

 

[diznygirl]

But why do the coaches of athletics get this title of respect, but the teacher who puts her heart and soul into coaching the Future Problem Solving Team, or the Academic Decathalon team doesn't?

Don't worry so much - not all coaches are worshipped - I'm sure there are bunches and bunches that are hated by athletes and students!!

Respect is earned - it has nothing to do with the title.

 

[CharlesTD]

My highschool hockey coach was the best history teacher in the city mind you we called him SIR as a sign of respect for our coach but I guess we are just a little different than most LOL.

 

[missypie]

My highschool hockey coach was the best history teacher in the city mind you we called him SIR as a sign of respect for our coach but I guess we are just a little different than most LOL.

Funny...we called my 8th grade history teacher "Sir"...no idea why. I moved to that school mid-year and everyone was calling him that when I arrived.

We had one PhD at our high school. We all called him "Doctor." NOT "Dr. Hunsaker." Just "Doctor."

 

[CharlesTD]

Funny...we called my 8th grade history teacher "Sir"...no idea why. I moved to that school mid-year and everyone was calling him that when I arrived.

We had one PhD at our high school. We all called him "Doctor." NOT "Dr. Hunsaker." Just "Doctor."

Funny thing is it was just the hockey players that called him SIR even at games and practices it was SIR not coach. Every otehr student called him Coach or Mr Douglas go figure.

 

[poohandwendy]

This thread reminds me of something the Dean of the university, that my DD is attending, said during his welcome speech. It was basically that studies show that students who make an effort to 'know' just one of their professors, they will acclimate to campus life faster, be more involved in campus activities, make better grades, graduate higher in their class and have a better all around college experience. I think that could be applied to any educational experience.

My point is that calling a teacher coach 'may' create a more personal classroom setting. And if it does, that 'may' be better for the students in the long run. Just a theory.

 

[Pin Wizard]

We had coaches that taught World History, various sciences, and various math courses. Just depends on what they're qualified to teach I guess. I seem to remember calling most of them "Mr." in classes, but the teachers who were the head coaches of football were always referred to as "Coach _____________."

 

[Buckalew11]

I had lousy coaches for teachers when I was in high school (of course, I also had lousy teachers who didn't coach too) but I think it is fine to know someone as Coach___. Of course, I love sports so maybe that explains it. I just don't see the big deal. My BIL is an athletic trainer for a high school. He doesn't coach exactly, but everyone calls him "Coach Nelson". He also teaches school and he's darn good at what he does. I'd hate that someone was resentful to him being called Coach or that someone thought he didn't have working brains to be able to teach because he is involved with athletics.

 

[golfgal]

One thing that was hard to get used to hearing when I first started teaching was to be called Miss Smith instead of my first name. Some teachers have don't like the formal titles, but do ok with coach. When I started coaching, the kids on my team called me coach instead of Mrs. Smith. Their choice. Heck, some of them STILL call me coach and they are now in their 30's and I had them when they were 16.

 

[tlgoblue]

Just talked with both my kids about this and they think having a coach for a teacher is very cool. Mind you, neither of them are into school sports. Both of them are actually....ummm N.E.R.D.s (Never Ending Radical Dudes/Dudesses). DS is getting his PE requirement from Marching Band OK? Anyway, they both said that coaches and their teams tend to have a more familiar association and they think that a coach/player relationship is more casual and easier to work with. Not saying that they don't respect their teachers, but that it brings the relationship to a level that is more comfortable, and therefore facilitates the learning process. Also, JMO, but maybe they think it is cool to have a coach despite not being on [The Team.