THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES

“They All Want Something for Nothing”

On Friday, July 20th, I tweeted a screenshot of a list titled “REALITY CHECK”. The 11-point list had come from an ISS Room (In-School Suspension) from several years ago. Back in the old days, trouble-making students got suspended from school. Suspended students were often from bad homes in the first place, so sending them home was not a great thing. Many states base their school funding on attendance, so this was another reason to create ISS. Even though it was education’s version of JAIL, the student would be kept safe, schools would get funding, and the kid might get some behavioral modification and complete their assignments. Arguably a necessary evil. 

In my tweet, I did NOT mention that the 11-point Reality Check came from an ISS Room (directed specifically at troublemakers). Instead, I tweeted…

 “Can you imagine a HS teacher posting this negative message to their students?  Sums up the depressing state of way too many HS classrooms. Athletic teams too.” 

I taught Chemistry, so I tried to imagine posting this on my classroom white board. 

If you read the Reality Check closely, it’s almost like you can picture a pissed off authority figure physically grabbing this lazy, entitled, shithead teenager screaming into their face “STRAIGHTEN UP!”, ACT RIGHT”. Point #10 clearly states, “YOU put yourself here, YOU need to fix YOU .” How much clearer can this statement be? YOU are in trouble and you deserve the consequences, you miserable piece of shit. How is this message appropriate for my chemistry students? What did my students do wrong?

Teenagers are FORCED to go to high school. They have no choice in the matter. They are forced to respect authority. They are forced to be compliant. Students must raise their hand to be granted permission to speak. They must get permission to use the restroom. Students are herded from class to class and are given detentions if tardy. No one is allowed to leave the building during the school day. High Schools serve as highly functioning teenage daycare. However, from a kid’s perspective, it can seem like a medium security prison. (Even though prisons don’t force inmates to attend six classes every day with homework in the evening.)

“YOU put yourself here, YOU need to fix YOU.” This was never true in regards to my science class. Wasn’t true in any math, english, or social studies class. Courses are required to graduate and school is mandatory. Society put those kids in those classrooms. 

My tweet got 2.4 MILLION views. I’m pretty good at Twitter, and I’ve never had anything come close. 

Maybe more astounding, 547 people quote-tweeted it (almost all of them blasting me and endorsing the Reality Check). 

Dan Orlovsky, former NFL QB, ESPN Analyst, and self-proclaimed “Follower of Jesus”, copied my screenshot and posted the Reality Check to his 606.7K followers one day after I tweeted it.  Dan Orlovsky got 897 retweets, 5541 likes, and 770K views (sorry Dan, I got 2.4M views). People ate it up, loved it. Dan probably added a thousand followers (I gained 200). Everyone seems to love the 11-points. It’s like the school version of the Ten Commandments. Dan probably felt like Moses coming down from Mount Sinai. “Thou Shalt Not Expect Life to be Fair.”

Let’s take a close look at each of the 11 points of the Reality Check.

Point #1: “You will not be rewarded for bad behavior.” This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Who thinks this needs to be said? Who thinks anyone in my Chemistry class should be told that bad behavior will not be rewarded?

Point #2: “Being told ‘NO’ is a part of life. GET OVER IT.” Huh? People really believe that students haven’t learned to accept “no” as an answer. By the time a kid is in high school, they have been told “NO” a million times. Being told “NO” is the #1 message of childhood. Nothing comes close. In 42 years of teaching and coaching, zero students argued with me when I said “no”. Zero.

Point #3: “You are free to make your choice, you ARE NOT free of the consequences.” Once again, students have been exposed to rules and consequences from the day they started school. Remember, the Reality Check was posted in a detention room, a consequence room, the prison of American high schools. Pretty redundant to have to remind someone sentenced to ISS that there are consequences. 

Point #4: “Life IS NOT fair.” Kids understand this better than adults. Kids have no power. Their struggle is daily. Adolescence is hard. The only ones that have it easy are the rich kids, born on 3rd base thinking they hit a triple. Rich kids don’t have to be told “Life is not fair” because life’s been good to them. The life-is-not-fair crowd is almost always the HAVES talking to the HAVE-NOTS, power talking to the powerless. 

Point #5: “You are not the boss.” This is simply an authoritarian, dictatorial, top-down reminder of who has the power and who doesn’t. It’s the warden reminding the inmates that they don’t run the jail. 

Point #6: “The world does not revolve around you.” This is getting tedious. Of course the world does not revolve around high school students. If it did, they would have a choice. School attendance would be a choice. Students could choose their instructors. They could choose their field of study. They wouldn’t have to eat the crap served in the cafeteria. They could leave the building instead of attending a study hall. They could use the restroom without being granted permission. 

Point #7: “Respect is earned, it’s not just given.” Oh my. Really. Adults like this statement? Ungiven respect is disrespect. Do we disrespect kids until they earn it? Kids are criminals until they prove otherwise? What’s wrong with people?

Point #8: “The world owes you nothing. Work for it.” Hey, I’m ok with this. Except for the fact that high achievers usually have advantages that low achievers don’t. Kids from houses with three-car garages score much higher on standardized tests than kids without a garage. Rich people earned it. Poor people deserve poverty. I got mine, you need to work harder. 

Point #9: “Fits and tantrums will get you nothing. Stop wasting your time.” This is so condescending (like every other point on this list). In my 42 years in high school education, I have never witnessed a fit or a tantrum. 

Point #10 “You put yourself here. You need to fix you.” We are treating students as inmates. Wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard a bad teacher say, “The inmates are running the asylum.”

Point #11 “Shut your mouth, open your ears.” Man, point-11 must have been pretty important. Everyone knows that 10-point messages sell much better than 10+1. This may be the saddest statement on the list. For the first five years of life, we teach our kids to move and talk, then we send them to school and tell them to sit down and shut up. 

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I would not post this Reality Check in a prison. Convicted felons deserve more respect. The twitterverse seemed to think this should be posted everywhere… schools, churches, homes, the work place, etc. 

One of the best takes came from my oldest son, Alec. “When I was in high school, if I saw that on a teachers board, I know my first thought would have been ‘LOL omg we’re gonna make this teacher cry this semester’” If you don’t understand that this type of shit can and will usually backfire on a teacher, you’ve never been a teacher. 

I’ve tried to make sense of the emotional vitriol caused by my condemnation of the “Reality Check”. There seems to be a political component to the group in general. Several people pointed to my political leanings. Seems that lots of people want to be defined politically… MAGA, conservative, liberal, progressive, etc. I’m a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist. I believe in the government working for the public good. I’m a believer in good roads, bridges, and public transportation. I support the funding of police, fire departments, and I’m a huge advocate of public education. I think Social Security and Medicare are good things for senior citizens. I hope that, in the future, Medicare is extended to all people. I also hope that we do better in supporting child care and elderly care. I once spoke at a Bernie Sanders rally. I do not support either the Democrats or the Republicans. Both are supported by corporate greed and seem to agree on only one issue… the military. But, don’t worry, there will never be a Democratic Socialist in the White House. And, my belief that our government should do more for our country has nothing to do with me being soft on kids. 

Many coaches, especially football coaches, got pretty fired up with the 11-point Reality Check. Traditional football is a top-down, my-way-or-the-highway militaristic sport. Coaches probably see the tough talk of the Reality Check as tough love. Probably reminds them of something Lombardi would have said back in the 60s. I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard a football coach talk about the “Pussification of America”. 

Strangely, lots of religious people jumped on the “stop being such a pussy” bandwagon. But, then again, they’d probably, deep down,  criticize Jesus for being “soft”. 

The common thread that was most concerning to me was the hatred of kids. Somehow people WHO LOVE THEIR OWN CHILDREN believe kids, in general, are miserable, entitled, soft, spoiled brats who think they know it all and refuse to conform to authority. Wait until you read the comments below. 

The respect of authority is central to the Reality Check. I believe that education’s overriding mission is compliance (synonyms are obedience and submission). Disruptive students prevent teachers from teaching and students from learning. The question is… How do we get students to buy in? Write the Reality Check on the white board? Or do we find a more effective method?

Every good teacher I know creates a great classroom through mutual respect and professional management skills. I’ve often said that if you treat kids as criminals, they will act as criminals (my dad taught me that). Students who were awful in some classes were often model citizens in my class. I have yet to encounter a kid that wouldn’t benefit from a respectful one on one conversation. The better we know another human, the more we respect them.  

I believe the top-down authoritarian Reality Check lovers buy into the idea that some people should have the power and others need to submit. These relationships include teacher-student, parent-child, boss-worker, king-peasant, or master-slave. If you think about it, compliance is critical to the functioning of our society. The powerful dominate the powerless. The sooner the powerless stop fighting back and submit to authority, the smoother life becomes. Tough love. 

One of the most interesting responses came from a pretty, blonde-haired, blue-eyed young woman from Park City, Utah. She wrote, “All children, especially those brought up in inner cities by fatherless families, need to hear this!” Can you read between the lines? I wonder who she is suggesting needs to comply, obey, and submit? She is saying the quiet part out loud, publicly.

I know a story of a kid who was born in a tent during the depression. His parents never made it past elementary school. They lived in government housing. Today this family would be called “working poor” or “white trash”. Due to several moves during his formative elementary years, this kid fell behind in reading and writing. He got in trouble, a lot. Back then, the reality-check culture was pretty strong. Lots of “tough love”. He learned to dislike school and was headed for a hard life. When he was 15, a wise coach and veteran of WW1 treated him with dignity and respect. Compliance, obedience, and submission was not how this coach operated. He led with love. Because of this one educator, the disadvantaged kid went on to college, the first in his family to do so. After graduating from college, he taught and coached 47 years, treating kids with dignity and respect. Not once did this educator talk about students being soft, entitled, or spoiled brats. That guy was my father. 

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Twitter’s Feedback

(my favorites are in bold)

Imagine being as soft as pntrack

Pussy generation

Americans are so crybaby

Tony u are terrible

This fatherless ass tweet. y’all so soft these days it’s aggravating

What is the world coming to? How dare the teacher post common sense.

Y’all are all so damn soft if this is negative or hurts your feelings . And tbh nobody cares about your feelings. All y’all mfs want is shit handed to you and not work for it… soft ass generation

Is this a parody account? If so, hilarious. If not, I feel sorry for those you “coach”. They must lose a LOT.

y’all do too much fuckin coddling

This is EXACTLY what today’s young adults (along with many adults) NEED to hear!!! Way too much of the “ENTITLED” mindset these days!

Why are people hurt about hearing the truth?

I see you are a Democrat Socialist. Explains Everything

Quit being a soft bitch many kids today need to be told these things

Y’all so pussy, this is wtf they need to hear

This is good and they should give it to the entitled little brats parents too.

Cry me a fucking river lmaaaoooo

Wrapping the overgrown babies in swaddling clothes does them a gross disservice and injustice.

This isn’t a negative message, it’s real. You’ve proven you one of them people that need a reality check

Lmao bro you need a reality check with your weak ass mindset

Nah…I’ve had kids openly talk about drugs, F bomb me to my face, pass pills, and a couple that showed up with gang symbols. I’ll just give them sugar sprinkle cookies and tell them to listen to your podcast.

Y’all are really raising some terrible sensitive little shits if you think this is a negative message.

I was a teacher and kids these days NEED to learn this ASAP. Nothing is negative about this. Letting them do whatever they want without facing the consequences is not only hurting them, but it’s also hurting the school system. I’m so glad I left.

Fantasy world he lives in. Not his fault… if you don’t know, you don’t know… Must be nice though, to still live in that world…

This is an example of why some teachers and coaches should find other work.

Basically stop being a pus, bust your ass in life for what you want. Your entitled to shit

Your parents did a poor job of raising you

Some would call it a certain kind of SAWFT in the suburbs of Houston.

Sorry Tony, the majority is not wrong. This generation needs to be told the hard truths. Much of this generation feels they are entitled. They expect to be coddled. They expect that they can do (or not do) whatever they please with no consequences. They are surly and rude. Fact.

That’s a great message. Only in this soft ass society will people push back on something like this. Weak.

You’re a jagoff. THIS is exactly what kids need. We coddle them far too much and this is why we’re raising a generation of weenies who are “hurt” by every single setback or disappointment. Grow up and toughen up. It’s obvious that someone of your ilk hasn’t.

Tony the Snowflake. This is Bill Gates’s list to succeed in life.

I’m with you Tony, we should only be telling young people how awesome they are in everything that they do. I mean look at kiddos today, it’s working!!!

I think you’re just a pussy and must be out of touch with reality. This is exactly the type of leadership these kids need because most of them have no concept of reality

Your “depressing state” philosophy is why the Roman Empire collapsed and it will be why the USA is choosing to go down the same path.

Let me guess, Democrat?

Come coach one of my teams. Try it your way. Give everyone ice cream with sprinkles and trophies. Then later in life when they get fired for expecting everything to be given to them are you gonna be there to help them with your words?

Go find your safe space, Tony. 

You live in a fantasy world @pntrack. You are part of the problem in this pussification of kids.

Tony is just one of those people who thinks his way of thinking is the only correct way of thinking. Looking at the list, I can understand why it bothers him. 

My wife is a teacher. She’s had chairs thrown at her. Kids have hit her. Verbally abused her. She can’t punish the kids. The admins won’t punish them either. So yeah – many kids are spoiled and need some rules cuz many don’t have them at home

Every student needs to say this shit out loud every morning before class starts and at the end of the day as a reminder going back out into the world lol

If you find this depressing, your life must be miserable

you’re soft as babyshit, and part of the problem. Everything on there is 100% fact. Telling kids anything but this is doing them a disservice in life.

We are in the “Good times create weak men, weak men create hard times” era

He probably wears gloves when lifting weights too so his delicate fairy hands don’t develop calluses

You’re an idiot. It’s reality, people like you are the reason there’s so many lazy and entitled people. Y’all enable them

na this generation just soft as fuck

you’re a sissy if you have a problem with what is being said on that poster. Life is tough, get used to it. Best to learn that at an early age.

You’re Charmin ultra soft

Tony gives away participation trophies like candy.

Wow you are some snowflake POS

I have read this and shared how I personally did some of these..36 years in education and I am seeing too many HS and College coaches and educators becoming praise addicts and in the real world it’s the opposite.

Tony “bitch boy” Holler

In today’s world of outrageous behavior, incredible arrogance & all of the effects that the noxious toxicity of social media, politics, etc., have had on so many kids, this message is a good example of tough love. Perhaps if more kids got it at home, it would not be necessary.

The reason we have entitled kids is because of not giving them the harsh realities of life

Not seeing the problem here. Of course I didn’t grow up entitled or spoon-fed

No, I think this teacher should be applauded. That’s the problem everyone treats kids like they walk on water

Grow some balls lmao

With a mindset like that you’re clearly part of the problem

Truth is sometimes depressing.

You’re the kind of person who needs this “reality check”

Sounds like Tony needs to read the board.

You’re joking right ? How about a teacher shouldn’t have to put that up for high school students , but parents these days baby and spoil their little brats into thinking they can do whatever they want without accountability

I just know your kids, if you have any, are soft

Can you imagine being as dumb as Tony and thinking this is bad teaching or coaching. Definitely why HS kids have the problems they do but not because of this I know that for a fact

I agree with everything on that list. Pandering to some whiney teen isn’t going to prepare them for the real world.

That’s called common sense. Obviously, you don’t have any!

I bet you like participation trophies

Sorry, Tony, but this is exactly the kind of thing we need to be telling kids. Take responsibility, earn your way, don’t whine and take pride when you actually succeeded in what you’ve tried to do. Nobody gives it to you and when you’ve earned it feels so much better.

Entitled and spoiled… If you’re not that, you don’t have a problem…if you are, the board is for you…and understand I don’t owe you anything…you don’t get the message now, don’t come seeking restitution when you need that lesson and don’t have it…

Oh baby this is exactly how I speak to my students!! And I gain more respect cuz I’m real. Ain’t no time for fluff, this world is literally against them.

I actually love the message this teacher had written. I’ve written similar stuff at work. I have zero tolerance for lazy self entitlement.

Kids are way too entitled these days, the world is not an easy place and they need to understand that.

Too many adults sugarcoat things for kids nowadays and when adversity finally hits, the kids fold. There’s a huge lack of mental toughness.

y’all soft

Nothing is wrong here. You’re just soft. Puss pop

Y’all so soft man this is just true

The fact you think this is negative is the reason we got kids acting every which way. Everything is not sugar coated with rainbows and heart bubbles.

Calm down snowflake, there is nothing wrong with this.

you’re obviously a total pussy

You’re such a fucking wimp lmao – grow the fuck up

You must be really soft. She could have gone further. Maybe listen to a lullaby since this hurt your feelings

You sound like a huge pussy. Our society is fucked because of mindsets like yours

I’d be embarrassed to have you employed at any high school if you think this is a negative message. You believe everyone should get a participation trophy? Every kid should get told yes on everything? Tell them life is fair? Bullshit man. you’re lying to kids man.

I don’t see the problem with this. Kids are soft as baby wipes

Um? It’s the truth? Kids today are fucking spoiled little brats

You sir are delusional.

All of this is true. HS kids are old enough to accept reality. You’re full of shit Tony

Asshole kids being raised by even more asshole parents. To anyone reading this, for the sake of the education system, make sure you are mature before you have a kid so you can act like a responsible, reasonable parent. Stop deflecting.

WOW, not surprising your bio has Socialist Democratic, the party of participation trophies. That’s why our young adults are so damn soft…

I’d rather have cold hard reality than blind optimism.

You obviously aren’t in schools and it shows.

Can you imagine not being challenged, not having discipline and having everything handed to you and becoming a worthless POS as a result?

Maybe if your classroom had posted this then you wouldn’t be on here crying like a little bitch boy.

Fuck you . Everyone should have to read this and understand it

Tony, this is why they’re all either spoiled rotten or giant pussies. Because of snowflakes like you.

y’all are snowflakes and i hate it

Damn y’all soft. Look like real shit to me

Seems ok to me, maybe it’s time you put on your big boy pants. Kids need to hear more of this to get them ready for the real world!

People like you are why this nation is in the downward spiral it is in now. Society is a shit show. No accountability. There is nothing wrong with what is on this board.

Nope, this is called accountability. And today’s kids have zero remorse or accountability for ANYTHING they do. That’s why they’re the softest generation out there. More of them NEED to hear this

I have no problem with it. I have a problem with our sad woke society that can’t hurt anyone’s feelings

Tony you’re out of touch on this one.

Democratic Socialist in his bio.

Lol shut up loser

You lack discipline. And because of your own lack of discipline you spread it to the next generation. That’s depressing.

You are part of the problem, but not surprised coming from a democratic socialist. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this message.

Man up snowflake.

Man, someone has some sand in their prosthetic vagina

You can coddle your kid and let life teach them these rules as an adult the hard way – no lube, sideways, with a damned cactus. The choice is yours but they will learn them one way or the other.

You definitely voted for Biden

Plenty of great teachers are being assaulted and run out of their own classrooms daily. Take your head out of the damn sand

Tell me that you haven’t spent time in a classroom without telling me. Please let me know which one of these things is incorrect or if they just hurt your “feelings”.

This is exactly what kids need to hear, to stop the cycle of nonsense from woke leftists.

This is depressing???? Geez we’re doomed

Without even looking at you, I would guess a millennial

Exactly what kids need to hear. So they don’t end up whiners. Like you.

You’re a pussy, Tony

If this bothers anyone they are a typical soft ass bitch

So you don’t live in the real world? Ok cupcake

why we have a bunch a turd people running around nowadays

I’d have called it good advice if you want to be prepared for life, it’s not all cupcakes and unicorns.

Have you ever heard of tough love? Stop being a snowflake 

You are soft man! Watch Band of Brothers and then come back with a reply!

How soft are you?

Spoken like a pussy Commie

‘Democratic socialist’ = snowflake kids.

Bet your track team sucks

Said like a true socialist. It’s all about me, I’m owed everything and need to work for nothing. If I don’t get my way I’ll throw a fit.

I don’t get what’s wrong with it, stop being a pussy

You’re soft as shit Tony grow a pair

It’s people like you who are ruining the world and minds of these kids. These are all facts !!!

Do you think people should be rewarded for bad behavior?

I had some Old Testament hockey coaches growing up. They didn’t have to say this, we understood it. But they also used say a whole hell of a lot worse than this

I hate they gave y’all a space to speak.

I can’t believe this tweet has not been taken down.

U a pussy that’s the only problem I see here

If u have a problem with this u prolly mislead and lie to your children

You post this… you get SMOKE.

There’s nothing wrong with this. You having an issue shows you’re a mentally weak mothafucka in the first place. Life ain’t fair, it’s a dog eat dog world out here.

I know you can’t do 15 push-ups with correct form talking like this.

Toughen up those soft kids…. It is a reality check because life is tough. Kids these days have such a sense of entitlement.

This guy and the bigger percentage of the “Soft” ass adults is THE MAIN PROBLEM! I give NOTHING but the truth to my children and thus far have been successful and have not been in trouble. I give them the truth and have ALWAYS had open conversations about ANYTHING & EVERYTHING!

Grow up

I thought this was satire, but the loon is serious.

What private school do you teach at lmao

And we wonder why kids are so soft! They are set up for failure!

I think we can conclude that the “time out” generation didn’t produce as good of citizens as the “ass beating” generation.

You probably also don’t like the words “accountability” and “responsibility”

I could see how you as a Socialist wouldn’t like this list in a classroom. Fundamental difference between Capitalists and Socialists is that Capitalists believe one needs these traits to be successful. While Socialists don’t care about success and more about trying to please.

Grow up! The message is real life. What is depressing is the weak children and the revisionist history.

The world isn’t all balloons and sugar-coated statements. If you can’t handle direct and clear communication, you are part of the problem.

I would fire you immediately

Or just keep believing it’s all puppy dogs and ice cream….that will do it. SMDH

This is exactly why these kids are so spoiled and soft bc y’all want to coddle them from reality

He lives in the bubble that is Plainfield North where most families are involved, socioeconomic is not a problem

You must have lots of participation ribbons

Nothing negative about this. Reality isn’t all rainbows and butterflies.

What a babbling retarded piss baby

People like you are the problem

Fuck off, loser.

What a ridiculous comment. Plenty of great teachers and coaches face disrespect daily. You must not be in education.

What a terrible future ahead.

“Democratic Socialist” in bio….makes total sense now

I had nuns cracking me across the hands with rulers. There were no “warnings” from Sister Cheryl

No, we don’t let them ruin it for the ones who care. Why are you so small minded Tony?

It’s either this or folk whining about participation trophies & kids being soft.

It’s a cold world and if you aren’t mentally equipped to handle, maneuver and survive in it, you won’t last!

Shut the fuck up and keep opinions on this type of stuff to yourself

When did education become an entertainment?

So teaching kids not to be disrespectful assholes is depressing?

You voted for the “No Child Left Behind” program didn’t you?

I bet you’re fun at parties

You are an idiot. This is called a positive message. What a shock you are a democrat. Do yourself a favor and follow this board. May actually learn something

Spoiled and entitled children run rampant in the public school system. This message is absolutely needed.

Absolutely sure liberals don’t want their kids to see this… that’s the problem!!

This needs to be posted in every classroom in America

Life’s truths. Now grow a sack

How’s all the coddling and lack of accountability working out? Some truth and consequences seem reasonable for all people at every stage and in each walk of life.

You are what is wrong with this generation.

If only Trump had been taught this in school

If they want to act like criminals then treat them like criminals.

You’re a fucking pussy

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ALTERNATIVE LISTS

Let’s end this with three Reality Check inspired checklists created by three different people. Spoiler: two are good, one is not.  

Credit: Michael Kennington @keinngtonexp

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Credit: Coach Self, Christian County High School

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And, ten points from my son Alec, a third generation teacher (both of Alec’s parents and both grandfathers were teachers):

 

  1. If you feel the need to get defensive to children as a leader, you’ve already lost.
  2. Positive reinforcement > negative reinforcement
  3. Give respect to get respect.
  4. Demonstrate empathy. These are kids.
  5. Combative teachers create combative kids
  6. It’s about the kids. Whose side are you on?
  7. Put yourself in the kids’ shoes. How would you respond?
  8. Praise loudly. Critique quietly.
  9. Create an engaging environment to prevent disengaged behavior.
  10. Inspire, don’t tear down.

 

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CREDITS

(actually a pretty good block-list)

Some of the Twitter accounts who disagreed with my take and endorsed the “REALITY CHECK”… OsamaBinLonnie, Booty Eating Advocate, Chosen1, Just Nope 1776, Husker Fan, Eazy, Tink, DrinkingBurntOrgangeTitosKoolAide, NotMe, QuanAfterTheBan, ChawShank Redemption, Ilithiophobic, Coochie Collector, Trump Won, Gaston is a Dick, Divine Female Energy, MoreAssThanClass, WeMissWrestling, TMoney, Titan Submarine Survivor, I Am What I Am, Kramerica, Rag&Bone – Ultra MAGA semi-fascist, Dr. Esther Williams, African Spider-Man (SirDG), Biscuits or Bullets?, chiraq cornhusker, Mark Azak (Poak, Polacx, CisPol, Pimp), Spider-PelinkaThe Conqueror, AnimalsAreGreaterThanHumans, CityofMisfistToyz, Phoenix Maximus, tuna, General Skywalker, Billys estranged son, PaTryIt, Vol Fan Jeff, MT68, IPO Adam, SlimmyJimmy, Teach ya man how to squabble!, J.A.P.A.N., Scorched Earth, F’n Rsp Guy, HomeOfTheWhopper, Mr TallDark-Handsome, CrispyBoi, “Don’t feed the bluechecks”, Corn Pop, Handlebarn Mustache, Hair Lord, vinnyvegas, DynastyNoob, Blackzay, Max Q, NewbyCake, Russian Bot, depressed cardinals fan, Teflon Juvi, Thebasedyinzer, Lex Looper & The Kryptonite Kings, Red Rose, Descendant of the Kang Dynasty, Who Elz, 80s_Bully, Y’all’s Favorite Libertarian, Cardinals Burner, One Take Willy, ArcaRays, jeffrey combs as ‘weyoun’ and ‘brunt’, D$, RedshiftRider, GetShoheiUpThe Fwy, Jawn Exotic, They Call Me Baldhead Handsome, Crypto and Real Estate Money, 72 aspects of HIM, raZ, Divasocials, Khesire Kat, WeeDingloid, dunk., Stoney Bee, BK_Born_N_Raised, Teezzzy F Baby, Fat, K-9 NOLE, VEGASTUD2.0, Cuzzo, Hot rod, Angel, Dinxster, Scotty MM, stillers, Kamala Harris Stan Account, Glock Girl, Darkside, X-Fuckter, Feed MVPickensTheBall, NFL, Pinhead, Mister Dynamite, Brendan Brennan (the only account I blocked), Simmy Cantstandabits, CFFL, Chiefy2024, EazyPeezyP, PlayMeSomePimpinMane, Brae, SKO Buff! GO Rox, Aint no way, A-Ro, senorita pulpo, MrBodyHead, TDHBXG, The Notorious JP, AKA Wombat Jones, Two Birds on a Bat, Paradise for Pimps, proud mexican-american, Coach Derrick Hintz M. Ed., Jaz., Sade B – The Sensible Millennial Wife, Doms Pops, Don Freaks, RACK, 5th Member of Jodeci, Jeezus, insecure online coach, Coach Mao #RILMOM, Been That Nigga, Cpt. “Candy” Franklin, LoversClub President, Lone Star Legend, Thefullmonty, Theonidas, bourbon johnson, YankeeJack1923, KingForA Day, O Father Where Art Thou?, TheTaker, Huey, salukiblue, Insanity Prevails, rzdisel, LTweets, SliiiiMe197, FWMYKIGI, 2023 Rowan Univ Sprints Coach, Keep it RAW, chadwick $, one-two and out ‘em, Pip Smoke, Fryedaddy, Na-Au-Say What?, Rochester Baseball League, John Karas aka. JNumb. JohnnyGolf. JK.TBoy., Scuvy Bob, Imagine dragon these, Jail Out Bail Bonds, TF1o1, Speech Alchemy CLICK the LINKS, Five Stacks, MikeyNoShoes, Omar, CollegeBaseballJunkie, Above Average Joe, The Fulcum, Political Independent, Jawn Exotic, Chief Chuck F3 Moonshine, Weezy’s Nugs of Info, Jackmerius Tacktheritrix, tittiesnhippsformybook, Just Joe With It, Dominic De La Ghetto, Medicated Gemini, sykk420, fj the ninja, GRXY, El_dre20, The Mayor of Lagnaf, Pulling Guard Coach, and IceDeez

“When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” ~Mark Twain

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Tony Holler
tony.holler@yahoo.com
630-849-8294

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FeedTheCats.Com

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More stuff on education: 
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Showing 26 comments
  • Spencer Lee

    I’m just here for the comments. Got my popcorn ready

    • Tony Holler

      There’s talent out there!

    • George

      Hilarious. Same here. For 49 years I’ve been associated with a K-8 school system where the students’ average HS GPA is 3.85 – special needs students not excluded. Human beings deserve equal opportunity, but they are exuberantly individual – nowhere is this more obvious than in sports. The defining feature of the schools I mentioned is that everyone knows this and works with it – unlike the march-in-step schools where everybody gets force-fed the same government-dictate lesson plan, every day; result: one-third under-perform, one-third plod through, and one-third are bored out of their minds. Tony proves that teachers HAVE to be able to work with the individual. The schools I’ve worked with have proved for 50 years that it works – the kids love school, discipline problems are virtually non-existent,, and …. yeah, 3.85.

      The world needs more teachers like Tony; fortunately, their numbers are growing. Tony’s freshman teams didn’t go 44-3 by being babied, and his track teams (and his son’s) aren’t in the Illinois elite because he coddles them. It’s because he knows how a human being is put together and what motivates them. Perhaps if schools were administered by educators with Tony’s understanding, his Twitter responders would have self-respect, self-discipline, self-restraint, and know how to spell.

      • Tony Holler

        Love you George!

        • George

          Likewise. BTW, our HS grads are bound for college. One girl scored a perfect 1600 on her SAT. That puts her in the elite .007 percent. You don’t do that with the level of discipline it takes to earn a participation ribbon. She’s bound for Rochester where she’ll intern over the summer at the med school then start as a freshman in the fall. She looks amazingly like a doctor at 18.

          Our teachers aren’t cream puffs – a lifelong martial artist who absorbed all the math the U.S. universities could give him and had to do postgrad work at the Univ. of Bremen to stay challenged. A professional actor, classical singer and cellist who did stunt work in Hollywood. A feisty principal that nobody, I mean nobody, would talk back to and get away with it. They’re like good teachers everywhere. They love the kids and know how to relate and help them.

          When she was five I watched a bodybuilder pick up her pink tricycle – she was on it. She told him, “You better put me down or I’m going to punch you in the nose!” And so on.

          Unlike your adoring commentators, they are warriors who don’t indulge in rhetoric or lace their observations with misspelled obscenities.

  • John Consuegra

    I think you are right on with your article. Those 11 points don’t foster a cooperative relationship, they create the same old adversarial “students vs teachers” spiral staircase. The teachers/coaches that made the most impact on my life were the ones that cared about what I thought. Keep doing what you do

    • Tony Holler

      I appreciate you!

  • Bryan Mathews

    I have to reality check myself a lot and remind myself that:
    1. A student’s behavior toward me is never personal.
    2. The “bad” student needs you the most. Be that person!
    3. NEVER write a kid off. Believe. Believe. Believe.

    • Tony Holler

      Love this Bryan. The “good kids” that teachers love are probably teacher-proof. They would make it with or without us. To change the directory of a life is something special.

  • There’s certainly better ways to communicate than this “list”.

    I also see where everybody’s coming from, but I think those words just make people feel better inside, as there most certainly is plenty of evidence of the things going on with young people today… and since the beginning of time.

    I’ve been there as have you, and I’ve experienced all of those emotions that would prompt people to agree with with that list.

    However, I don’t think the things on the list, when enacted, ever get one ahead with “tough“ students.

    It was always about creating a relationship, finding out what is actually going on in the kid’s life and showing them that someone cares.

    Like I said, I see where all those comments are stemming from… But I don’t think that’s the solution.

    I’d be inclined to use one of the alternative lists given above.

    Thoughtful response nonetheless Coach!

    #FTC

    • Tony Holler

      Yep, it’s always been this way. You are a good man, Wade.

  • Mike Hassler

    Saw you talk in South Sioux City, NE and love what you stand for and preach Tony.

    Every generation of kids going back to the beginning of time has always been viewed as “the kids these days” that will never live up to the previous generation. I think we as adults often forget how hard it was to be a teen. The teachers/coaches that showed they cared had the most impact on my life. Guidance is what I needed and craved, not tough love.

    The teachers that wanted me to fall in line with their list of rules so they could collect their pay check were viewed as a joke.

    Once again you have given me a lot to ponder headed into my 21st year of teaching and my 24th year of coaching. Appreciate the insight as always Tony.

    • Tony Holler

      Thanks Mike. I think we all need reminded of the incredible power that teachers possess. And, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of hating the kids that make our job more difficult.

  • Brad Hoblitzell

    Tony,
    I have appreciated your teachings and training ever since I was introduced them. I have coached high school football and track and field for the past 25 years all while working outside of the school in a professional position. I decided last year to go back and get my masters to get into the class room and continue coaching. I resigned from my previous job last year to take a position as an ISS coordinator at the high school I coach at. I really wanted to get into the building and concentrate on my licensure and masters work. I can honestly say that I went into the start of the school year buying into the “prison” mindset of ISS with a my way or high way attitude. I found that Alec’s #5 especially true and realized that my “teaching” mindset was completely contrary to my coaching philosophy. Learning to be empathetic and listen, while being firm and fare in the classroom was the highlight of my experience this past year with kids. I’m thankful for your article and your insight. I’m excited to be entering the classroom this fall all while continuing to coach and continuing to grow and build into our young people. Thanks for your willingness to stand up and speak out. I honestly think it has been voices like yours that have helped inspire my career change at the age of 50. How do I want to really spend my time and what matters most were questions that I wanted to really get right. Thanks again.

    • Tony Holler

      Late life inspiration is a powerful thing. Man, we need more people like you in education!

  • Stephen Gschwender

    The most frustrating thing is that you can have high expectations and build high performance and at the same time have great relationships. You just treat them like your own children. Doesn’t mean you’re ‘soft’ on them. How is this hard?

    • Tony Holler

      Good teachers create a CULTURE of learning based on, as you point out, relationships. Rules and consequences are not needed when kids like the teacher, like the course, and are treated with respect.

  • Al Leslie

    Love it coach! I appreciate the fact that you called this list out! You and your wife have done an amazing job raising your children. They appear to have learned some great life lessons. I love Alex’s # 8 and have lived it in my coaching and teaching career for 30+ years. I love being the loudest cheerleader on the field! People laugh I smile.

    I followed the clown you speak of for a while but could see through the hype train. His stance doesn’t surprise me!

    • Tony Holler

      Love you Coach!

    • George

      Wow, inspiring. This is exactly what the schools I work for have proved for 50 years. It bloody well works – hardly any discipline issues, even in middle school, and no bullying or student-run culture of power and shame, because the kids love the work, the teachers, their friends, the school environment.

      • Tony Holler

        It’s almost like win-win, right? Teachers inspire students, students inspire teachers. Combative teachers fuel combative students. I knew you’d like this George! (Even though I’ve never felt more unpopular in my entire life!)

  • Alex

    I admire Alec’s list! Great thread.

    P.S.
    “The only ones that have it easy are the rich kids, born on 3rd base thinking they hit a triple.”
    Pearl Jam fan?
    Bu$h Leaguer, PJ quote?
    ~AGray

    • Tony Holler

      I’m not a big Pearl Jam fan but I would not turn down tickets. I’ve used the “born on third base” quote for at least 15 years. Too many educators fail to understand the disadvantages of their lowest students.

  • Alex

    Tony,
    I’m getting psyched for the new school year and fall coaching; I hope to use this thread in a faculty orientation Socratic, so we are mindful setting classroom and team procedures and guidelines.
    The Pearl Jam line is: “Born on third, thinks he got a triple”
    Thanks for lifting as you climb.

  • jasa backlink pbn

    Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked
    submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well
    I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted
    to say great blog!

    • Tony Holler

      Thank you! Wish I could have seen your “long” comment.