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Over the course of my 15 years or so of teaching martial arts I have been in contact with thousands of children and with that their parents. Most people who work with children will tell you that their job would be 90% simpler without the parents involved. It’s sad but true.

When I was little if the school said I got in trouble my mom didn’t question it. She just punished me. If my instructor said I needed to work harder on something she didn’t say, “Oh, but he’s trying his best.” She just made me work harder.

It seems that many of today’s parents are more interested in protecting their children from the real world then preparing

them for success in it!

Growing up I was blessed to have great parents who weren’t satisfied with letting my siblings and I grow up without working to our highest potential. I was also surrounded by many other’s who expected the same of me, many of whom were teachers.

One such teacher was my first grade teacher, Miss Howard. I’m not sure how many parents would tolerate the amount of work Miss Howard had us do as first graders. Now a days I think most parents would suggest that she was being way too hard on us. At the time, I’d probably agree. But that’s why she was the teacher and I was the first grader. She knew what she was doing. Without her in first grade I’m not sure my educational journey would have been as good because she started me on a firm foundation of hard work.

I remember going to Avilla for middle school and students saying, “Oh no you have, Fordeck for English!?! She’s so mean!!” The two years of English classes with Mrs Fordeck I learned A TON. She wasn’t mean, she challenged us. She made us work hard. I’m thankful that she did.

Then there was my junior year when I was getting my schedule ready for the following year. Everyone suggested taking government over the summer because it was easy and if you took it during the year you’d have Speicher!! They all said how hard Mrs. Speicher’s class was. I ended up taking her class and I loved it. It wasn’t easy but she was always fair and was ALWAYS willing to help you if you were struggling.

I’m sad to say that the world is going to be losing more and more of the teachers, coaches, and instructors like those I had. Why? Because we won’t support them. Because we as a society are happy to push along the status quot. Because average is the enemy of excellence and it seems to be winning.

I for one and not going to comply. I’m going to continue to “make waves” in the ocean of average and I ask you to stick up for those in your lives who do the same. Next time your child complains about a teacher that is giving out hard homework, write them a thank you note. Next time the softball coach benches your kid for not making it to practice, don’t make excuses for them. Teach them to accept the rules not find a way around them. Next time you your son says they were being treated bad by the teacher, find out the full situation before rushing to their aid. Those out there who are fighting to up the standards are lone warriors and need our support! If we don’t stick up for them they’ll disappear, and I’m afraid of what the world will look like without them.

-For my sister!