Ben asked that we read from beginning to end (two years of entries, mind you), the blog of a former MTC-er. I have been reading bits and pieces of past blogs all along, as I find them informative as well as stimulating for when it comes to writing my own entries. They offer little glimpses into the personal experiences that might otherwise never be exposed.
I came across a blog link entitled, 'Texas', and decided to go with it. I am a native Texan mysel, so naturally I was curious. The blogger's name is Hunter Taylor. By luck of the draw, I turns out that I happen to know Hunter. I met him at the gym my first week here. Although he completed the program and is no longer teaching in the Delta, he is still heavily involved with MTC as a "team teacher".
Hunter is one of eleven other alumni who have returned this summer to help evaluate the second-year teachers as well as teach at the Holy Springs summer school. Now that is dedication. We have joked around quite a bit, hung out together, worked out together, but he has never gone into great detail about the specifics of his experience in the classroom. Needless to say, I had quite a bit of reading to catch up on in order to find out more about his experience as a teacher in the Delta.
Now, the blog doesn't read like a day-to-day journal account, though it is sufficient in painting a picture with a broad brush of life in the Delta public schools. The entries I enjoyed reading most gave specific accounts of events - a play by play recount of a nail-biting state championship basketball game following a tumultuous season. Immediately, I was brought back to the court, or field rather, of my own state championship games. Reliving through his description the enormous effort required to reach that level of competition. But it was the tough circumstances of his team that particularly stood out to me - a product of a relatively affluent northern private school. Take a glance at his team description:
Poster Children for Perseverance
I was talking with one of my assistant coaches the other day, and I am quite certain that I have never been a part of a team or heard of a team that has had as much turmoil on it. Let me give you a brief recap of how we started the year, and what our current status is. In order to protect the anonymity of my players, however, I will not be referring to them by name. We began the year with 15 players. Ten of them were 8th graders and five of them were 7th graders. Then the season started...haha. We’ll begin the year by what happened first to player 1.
Player 1(that’s how I’ll refer to him) was caught with a fire extinguisher hosing off another student. Result…..45 days at alternative school and automatic dismissal from the team.
Player 2 then decided to run from the school’s security guard on two separate occasions. Result…..3 days school suspension and automatic dismissal from the team as ordered by administration.
Player 3 then missed multiple practices with no excuse, and was caught by an administrator with a bag of marijuana. Result….dismissal from the team.
That’s 3 people gone….try and keep up now.
Player 4 missed multiple practices with no excuse and is currently being investigated for having an improper relationship with a girl in one of the school’s portables after school. Result, dismissal from the team.
Players 5, 6, and 7 all failed four of eight classes for the first semester. Result…..dismissal from the team due to state and school policy.
That’s 7 people gone….we have 8 people left.
Of the 8 players that are left, we have…..
Player 8, who has a sprained toe, will be out of action for the final home game.
Player 9, who has already served a one-game suspension for disciplinary matters and currently faces a “last chance” team policy from the coaches.
Player 10 is still dealing with the shooting of his brother, which occurred two months ago.
Player 11 was suspended last game by his mother for skipping a class, and is still under the microscope from her as to whether or not he will be able to play for our last home game.
Player 12 has a pulled thigh muscle that he hid from the coaches, until his mother finally came and told us. (He’s a warrior, he’s our Captain, and he’s still playing)
Players 13, 14, and 15 are great kids who seem to have lost their confidence the last 2 games.
Player 1(that’s how I’ll refer to him) was caught with a fire extinguisher hosing off another student. Result…..45 days at alternative school and automatic dismissal from the team.
Player 2 then decided to run from the school’s security guard on two separate occasions. Result…..3 days school suspension and automatic dismissal from the team as ordered by administration.
Player 3 then missed multiple practices with no excuse, and was caught by an administrator with a bag of marijuana. Result….dismissal from the team.
That’s 3 people gone….try and keep up now.
Player 4 missed multiple practices with no excuse and is currently being investigated for having an improper relationship with a girl in one of the school’s portables after school. Result, dismissal from the team.
Players 5, 6, and 7 all failed four of eight classes for the first semester. Result…..dismissal from the team due to state and school policy.
That’s 7 people gone….we have 8 people left.
Of the 8 players that are left, we have…..
Player 8, who has a sprained toe, will be out of action for the final home game.
Player 9, who has already served a one-game suspension for disciplinary matters and currently faces a “last chance” team policy from the coaches.
Player 10 is still dealing with the shooting of his brother, which occurred two months ago.
Player 11 was suspended last game by his mother for skipping a class, and is still under the microscope from her as to whether or not he will be able to play for our last home game.
Player 12 has a pulled thigh muscle that he hid from the coaches, until his mother finally came and told us. (He’s a warrior, he’s our Captain, and he’s still playing)
Players 13, 14, and 15 are great kids who seem to have lost their confidence the last 2 games.
I think the one aspect that I’m most proud of our kids that are still playing on the team though is how well we’ve persevered. Our current record is 7-1 overall and 3-0 in conference. Of our 7 victories, we’ve won 5 of them by single-digit margins. This past Thursday, we also clinched the division title, and reserved our spot for our school’s fourth straight City Championship game. Our school, however, hasn’t won the championship in over 5 years, and I can’t think of a more perfect ending than for a group of wildcards to somehow band together and pull this thing off. I guess we shall see in about 2 weeks.
I'm told this case is not unusual. But how remarkable it is that Hunter didn't allow his frustration to override a team's potential. Coach Hunter isn't an exception. Many MTC teachers are coaches, club leaders, mentors and advocates. It's a job title with many hats.
I bet Hunter was far more than a basketball coach to these young students. It takes a lot to gain trust, you must show up day after day to show that you care about someone. Tutoring to retain failing kids. Coping with the shooting of one young man's brother.
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