A tale of two students.

I understand why teachers (good ones) are willing to take such a small amount of money to do something that is more important to society than bankers manipulating stock prices for profit or polititions selling their values for money.

Lets start with a 15 year old girl named Murashima. She has for two year tried to win the Kasuya Gun english speech contest. This year, she won it. She doesnt strike you as the kind of girl that enjoys getting infront of people and speaking, but she does quietly have a strong work ethic. She understands that practice and listening along with making the most of the moment are all necessary characteristics in success. Her effort, along with my giving of about 4 hours a week after work for a month, led to her going from a shy 7th grader to a successful 8th grader. I am very happy for her.

Second, is the story of Nagamatsu. A young 7th grade boy who just moved to kasuya from Kagoshima. No friends, no way to connect to his surroundings in a new school except the desire to try and learn basketball (from the very very very beginning). The other 4 starters (all 7th graders) have played since elementary school, but he is a beginner. What he lacks in skill, he makes up for in hustle. He is a great example to the whole team that defense and rebounding is "want to". He earned the respect of his team mates in less than 3 months of playing basketball.

And the both of these kids earned my respect. It is so amazing seeing kids exhibit qualities that we as adults seem to forget sometimes. Hard work. Practice. Putting feelings and comfort levels to the side. Even realizing that its ok to do something different. These are all things that i am allowed to learn everyday...as a teacher and as a basketball coach.

B.T.W. I installed a 2nd offense DURING A GAME. Tell me kids dont learn quickly.