You teach how you were taught

One of the most interesting things I learned working on my MEd was that no matter how many hours of classroom instruction, practicum, or student teaching a future teacher endures the way he or she teaches is ultimately defined by the way they were taught. Not exactly inspiring words for the future educators of America.

While my time in the classroom was relatively short before jumping to the administrative side of the house, I can vouch for the fact that one starts off following all the principals of instruction they were taught, but quickly comes draw on their own experience as a student. I'd like to think we draw from the powerful and talented teachers in our past, but I know this isn't always the case.

How is this relevant to training? What's relevant is that even though I've been taught proper form for stroke, stride, body position, and weight lifting it is always a struggle to avoid falling back on the way I was "taught" or learned prior to becoming an "adult". When the alarm goes off early in the morning and I drag myself to the gym for a strength session I find myself all too often performing the same exercises I learned in college and not the best practice I've recently been taught.

Athletes are no different from teachers. We are taught best practice, but without supervision and attention to our own methods, we are all too likely to fall back on our familiar past instead of pushing ourselves to remain dedicated to the present. This is why we do drills, work with coaches, and consult with other athletes. This week, despite the fatigue, despite the early mornings, despite challenges, I am working to remain focused on best practice and make THAT the new familiar.

Wednesday - AM gym workout arms/light legs/core, PM bike 1hr trainer workout