Legendry basketball coach, Mike Kryzewski announced his retirement earlier this month. While most would see him as the most successful basketball coach of all time, his current and former players would consider him their greatest teacher. Coach K used basketball as a vehicle to provide young men a space for personal growth and introspection.

Many people throughout my life have served as my teachers that extended far beyond my traditional educational attainment. I’m immediately reminded of my grandmother Velma who recently passed away at the age of 94.  She would often quip, “It takes a heap of living, to know how to live.”  Boy was she right! As someone with little formal education (who went back to school to obtain her GED later in life), she was one of the wisest people I’ve ever known.  She was a great teacher that seemed to get funnier and sharper as she grew older in age.

Some of the people that I’ve had the privilege of learning from, happened to be students in my classroom or school when I was a teacher. I’m reminded of one of my former students, whom I’ll call Daniel.  I was his English teacher and his basketball coach, but I certainly learned more from him than he could have from me.  Daniel taught me so much about perseverance, kindness, and gratitude.  Although his mother struggled with substance abuse, and often left Daniel to care for himself and his younger sister (including providing food and shelter), he always smiled.  He never complained.  He worked so hard.  One of the proudest moments of my professional career was to see him graduate from high school and go on to attend college.

There are countless others who have taught me, inspired me, encouraged me far beyond the classroom. I’m so thankful for all of the teachers that have entered my life—in both traditional and nontraditional varieties.

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