Ruminations from a Winding Career
Viewing comments for Chapter 21 "Cheerleaders.1"Thoughts from almost 50 years
10 total reviews
Comment from ShirleyT1
I enjoyed your story about being a cheerleading sponsor, and can greatly appreciate it. My two (now college) granddaughters both cheered in middle school and high school, as well as being on the competition team. I never knew how much time and work was required. But I enjoyed every minute and never missed a game or competition. So thanks for setting an example and making guidelines. Great story!
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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I enjoyed your story about being a cheerleading sponsor, and can greatly appreciate it. My two (now college) granddaughters both cheered in middle school and high school, as well as being on the competition team. I never knew how much time and work was required. But I enjoyed every minute and never missed a game or competition. So thanks for setting an example and making guidelines. Great story!
Comment Written 07-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Thanks so much, Shirley. jan
Comment from Terry Overton
This brings back memories. I was never a sponsor but taught school for years and this is just typical of what could happen any moment! I am thankful I am no longer teaching public school. Not sure if I could :) But the writing served its purpose of taking me to that place and time. Nice work :)
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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This brings back memories. I was never a sponsor but taught school for years and this is just typical of what could happen any moment! I am thankful I am no longer teaching public school. Not sure if I could :) But the writing served its purpose of taking me to that place and time. Nice work :)
Comment Written 06-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Thanks, Terry. I am teaching in public school, but without the lesson plans, grading, and politics because it is a state-mandated position to improve Algebra 1 scores. Otherwise, I couldn't do it. jan
Comment from blondie560
I loved it, Jan. I never was a cheerleader, but it was my secret desire. I thought they were so cool, popular, and always cute. One was always Homecoming Queen. When my daughter entered high school somehow the reputation changed. She was on the pom squad and they were much more popular. In her four years there never was a cheerleader that was Homecoming Queen. Then she became the JV cheerleader coach her first year of teaching. It was obvious that the girls ran the program. The school secretary even told my daughter "Good luck. Those girls are a handful. We can't keep a coach."
Her pom squad had won the state competition her senior year and she was the captain. She knew what it took to be a team. No "I" in team right? She became Varsity coach her second year. That team won 2nd place in state, the first in school history. She was popular with the girls and they listened to her. Her career seems to be mirroring yours. But she is a well-beloved teacher and it makes me proud when a past or present student tells me how much they enjoyed being in her class.
I get the feeling your students feel the same way about you. I'm really glad your principal had your back too. Not all do. I so enjoy reading your stories. Take care, Sally
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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I loved it, Jan. I never was a cheerleader, but it was my secret desire. I thought they were so cool, popular, and always cute. One was always Homecoming Queen. When my daughter entered high school somehow the reputation changed. She was on the pom squad and they were much more popular. In her four years there never was a cheerleader that was Homecoming Queen. Then she became the JV cheerleader coach her first year of teaching. It was obvious that the girls ran the program. The school secretary even told my daughter "Good luck. Those girls are a handful. We can't keep a coach."
Her pom squad had won the state competition her senior year and she was the captain. She knew what it took to be a team. No "I" in team right? She became Varsity coach her second year. That team won 2nd place in state, the first in school history. She was popular with the girls and they listened to her. Her career seems to be mirroring yours. But she is a well-beloved teacher and it makes me proud when a past or present student tells me how much they enjoyed being in her class.
I get the feeling your students feel the same way about you. I'm really glad your principal had your back too. Not all do. I so enjoy reading your stories. Take care, Sally
Comment Written 04-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Thanks so much for your continued support, Sally, and your exceptional rating. I will always believe teaching is a work of heart. Kids really don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. jan
Comment from barbara.wilkey
My personality gets along better with rowdy boys than hysterical girls. LOL I had a family policy with all by boys, they couldn't participate in sports unless they had at least a 3.5 average. Only because they could easily achieve that. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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My personality gets along better with rowdy boys than hysterical girls. LOL I had a family policy with all by boys, they couldn't participate in sports unless they had at least a 3.5 average. Only because they could easily achieve that. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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barbara, I agree. My daughter had to keep high grades or she could not participate in anything other than church. She graduated 3rd in her class with a 4.198 average. You are right, however. Coaching guys is much easier than coaching girls. jan
Comment from royowen
I don't think we have an equivalent in Australia, but we are taking onboard the razzmatazz involved in it, but it's never been part of school activities. So I'm impressed Jan, you've done a great job with this, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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I don't think we have an equivalent in Australia, but we are taking onboard the razzmatazz involved in it, but it's never been part of school activities. So I'm impressed Jan, you've done a great job with this, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 04-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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thanks, Roy - jan
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Well done
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Good for you! And good for them--meaning, it was good for them that you made them toe the line. You told this well--love the list--you pulled no punches.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Good for you! And good for them--meaning, it was good for them that you made them toe the line. You told this well--love the list--you pulled no punches.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Elizabeth, a few threatened to quit the first year. I just pulled out the list of the alternatives from the try-outs and told them I would be happy to contact the next people on the list as soon as they turned in their uniform. No takers. jan
Comment from Wendy G
The rules seem designed to bring out responsibility in every area of their lives. I am sure they appreciated your standards and structures afterwards if not at the beginning. Good for the principal for supporting you so well. Well written.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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The rules seem designed to bring out responsibility in every area of their lives. I am sure they appreciated your standards and structures afterwards if not at the beginning. Good for the principal for supporting you so well. Well written.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Wendy, I was very blessed. Since I was so young when I started teaching, many of those girls grew up to be friends. jan
Comment from lancellot
Ah, the good old days when rules were supported by the administration and students couldn't get out of them, but learned that rules are a part of life they had to get used to. Now, I wonder how that meeting with the principal would go.
No, I don't wonder. I know.
A well written story.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Ah, the good old days when rules were supported by the administration and students couldn't get out of them, but learned that rules are a part of life they had to get used to. Now, I wonder how that meeting with the principal would go.
No, I don't wonder. I know.
A well written story.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Unfortunately, lancellot, you do know. There's not enough money for me to do the same job I did for free for so long back then. jan
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
You have done a good job writing this, but why not add that after phrase as the last lines of your chapter? You provided them with some great rules for cheerleading and for life.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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You have done a good job writing this, but why not add that after phrase as the last lines of your chapter? You provided them with some great rules for cheerleading and for life.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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Thanks, Carol. I'll go back and look at that. jan
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Well, they were teens--always ready to buck the system. Your rules were awesome, Jan. I can see how each one was applicable. In the end, I believe the cheerleaders realized they were sound, though they may not have said that out loud or to you. I imagine your rules were used for years after you were no longer sponsor. Your principal sounded like an awesome person to work for.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2021
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Well, they were teens--always ready to buck the system. Your rules were awesome, Jan. I can see how each one was applicable. In the end, I believe the cheerleaders realized they were sound, though they may not have said that out loud or to you. I imagine your rules were used for years after you were no longer sponsor. Your principal sounded like an awesome person to work for.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 03-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2021
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Jan, he and I had an agreement - if he wanted me to be the sponsor, I needed some rules. Later, you will see how some of them came in handy. jan