For three days, I’m using this space to brag on three of TCA’s excellent teachers. These three short vignettes are about professionals who walk the talk of continuous improvement.
Alan Versaw is arguably the most successful distance running coach in Colorado High School History. The women’s team at The Classical Academy has won six consecutive state championships, and they are strong contenders to add a seventh. Last year our school of only 600 students placed 12 in the nation at the Nike Cross Nationals. The men’s XC team has won several individual and team championships, and Coach Versaw has been the distance coach for four consecutive women’s state championship track teams as well as multiple men’s state champions. In 09-10, TCA swept both women’s and men’s XC and track. Not surprisingly, Alan has been Coach of the Year more than once.
On August 1, Coach Versaw’s teams gathered at the Nielsen Challenge race for a team time trial. Over 35 athletes showed up to try and make the team.
On August 1.
At 8:00 AM.
On a summer Saturday.
It takes a special coach to inspire that kind of dedication. Here’s what’s special about Coach V. After the time trial, the team gathered at a nearby house for a post-race breakfast. Coach Versaw had to leave early from the breakfast to attend a coaching clinic.
This is crazy. This is like Michael Phelps [flashing hyperbole detector] taking swimming lessons. Great coaches don’t have to attend clinics. But coaches who hunger to improve do. Coaches who want to model for their elite athletes the importance of continuous learning—do.
No matter how good you are or how much acclaim you receive, you can improve. Do you?
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