What's It Worth?

 As an older guy getting back into the card collecting hobby, I struggle with some of the nuances that were not customary when I was a  kid.  A big one is the struggle to know how much a card is worth.  I see this question asked time and time again on card Twitter.  I see people disagreeing over the price of a card when it was sold in Facebook groups.  There seems to be no good way to value a card these days.

When I was a kid, it was simple.  You bought a Beckett, looked it up and got excited when you saw those little arrows going up for your card.  The matter was solved and there were no arguments.  The internet had complicated this to a fault.  A great example is the curious case of Jose Uribe.  There was a time that his 1990 Fleer error card (wrong birth date) was listed on eBay for thousands of dollars.  There are a ton of conspiracy theories around why, but the hard reality is that this is a common player.  I even got in on the act and put one up that I pulled on a YouTube video to see what kind of attention it might get.  As you can see, it got next to none.  And yes, my cynical listing title did not help I'm sure.

As much as I chuckled at this, it seemed to happen again with a Todd Zeile rated rookie card.   It was listed on eBay for thousands of dollars noting a very small error.  This doesn't make a card valuable and I often wonder if this is like many other internet scams where the scammer might list lots of these hoping to get one or two interested fools that might pay the money.  Cards are hot these days and the internet is a way to make some quick money by duping people.

I think my biggest frustration is not just people using the internet to over hype or over inflate a player's card, it is the notion that when a great card is pulled we have the moral dilemma to either sell it or keep it.  I heard a man say the other day that they have taken the hobby out of the hobby and this is a prime example.  Take the Tweet below.  If I had pulled a 1/1 card, I would keep it.  A true hobbyist would love to be the "one" that has the card.  Part of me thinks this is a fake, but if a 13 year old decided to sell this card, he had help from an adult that doesn't actually get it.  The hobby has become a business and does not seem like much fun anymore.  Unless you count big pulls turning into big money fun.  This is not a hobby, it is basically gambling and there are a lot of newcomers trying to cash in.

My therapy has come from moving away from today's hobby and trying to relive my own glory days.  I buy old cards from my day (Junk Wax) and enjoy them for the second time around.  To answer the question, "What's It Worth?"  The answer is uncertain.  I sold a Jordan card on eBay that booked for $100 and got way less than that for it.  I know that it is worth what people are willing to pay for it and there is no magical way to have all the right answers.  I have a binder of cards that I will never part with and that makes them invaluable to me.  If I tried to sell them, they might be worth $200 to the market.  That's what I get for deciding to live in the junk wax era.  Stick to the hobby and your cards will always be worth something to you.

My Favorite Player

I am pretty well known for telling my students' parents not to get so mushy over 8th grade nights, senior nights or graduations.  I always tell them that this is a beginning and not an ending.  I tell them to be excited for the next chapters in their children's lives.  I do believe that, but now I find myself in their shoes.  I will soon face an ending that I knew was coming, but I am not prepared for.  The time is quickly coming that I will not be able to watch my favorite player take the softball field any more.

Softball was our first thing together.  When she was tiny we would sit in the floor and roll a softball back and forth to each other.  It felt like only a minute went by when we started to play catch in the yard.  When she was four, she donned a pink uniform and played in her first games.  We played in Johnston City so we could start with coach pitch and not a tee.  This is the path you take when your dad was a coach and your mom was a college softball player.

I got to coach that little pink team and yes, I wore a pink shirt too.  It was strange going from being at a table for a senior's college signing to showing four year olds where first base was.  It was a challenge, but I got to spend time with my favorite player.  I got to be a part of her first little successes and it was rewarding beyond my imagination.  She was a spunky little player that never stopped smiling.  She was always having fun.  I'm sure the bows and polka dots helped with that.

She was a sponge.  She loved to learn new things.  We spent a lot time learning how to pitch and slap hit and even when I got frustrated, I was happy with her.  She worked hard at this and even though some of those skills were never fully utilized, she liked to put in the work.  A story she loves to tell is when I was pitching to her in a gym when she was very young and she swung at a pitch that was a little too inside.  I hit her thumbnail and caused it to come off.  She says I threw at her.  I say she needs to open up more on those inside pitches.  That is still a sore subject to this day.

She got a chance to play for a travel team and before the end of the year was up they were without a coach and I was asked to step in.  Although I wanted to be just a fan, I secretly was happy to do it.  This was a chance to play around in the dirt with her a little longer.  We spent a few good years together as Downstate Rippers with some good people, but the time came that we needed to let her be coached by someone else.  This is hard to do.  Its hard to give your kid to someone else, but I can tell you that it is necessary.

  

She got to play on a really good team with high expectations.  I wouldn't have wanted her to play for many people after me so I was happy to hand her over to Total Contact.  I finally got to be a fan and watch her play with some of the best kids around.  She learned some hard lessons and earned some medals and always played with that smile on her face.  She was finding success and still my favorite player on the field no matter what.

Being a multi-sport athlete is tough, but that was a path she was going to take.  We stepped away from travel ball and gave our springs to high school softball.  This is where the magic begins and you see what type of person your kid is going to be.  She wasn't just a player, she was a helper. Not just a helper but an organizer.  I would have called her a coach's dream if she was on my roster almost 20 years ago.  She was dependable as a player and a responsible teammate.  Most of all, she was competing and happy.  

She’s in her 14th year playing and it is almost time to hang them up.  These are the last chances I get to watch my favorite player.  On opening day I felt like a star struck fan during the game as I hung over the outfield fence.  I nervously watched every pitch go by and held my breath for every defensive chance she got.  She went two for four at the plate with a great defensive play.  Her team went to a walk off win in extra innings against Woodlawn.   I was happy for her when we left the field.  These are big moments that she has been able to add to her collection of memories over the years.

If we have done anything right as sports parents, we knew when to take the training wheels off and let her take over.  I am very proud of the player and young lady she has become, but I know it will help her be a better adult.  You know that next chapter I tell people I'm so excited for?  It will be here before you know it.  We will blink again and be telling these stories to her favorite players while she gets to experience the same pride that we have.  Enjoy this last season Makane!

The Numbers Game

I've watched a lot of basketball over the break and my heart has been hurting for teams with scarce numbers.  I know some of this is injury related, COVID related or sometimes academically related.  But when these factors don't apply and numbers are still low, there are ways that the school and it's community can help.

First, let's get the excuses our of the way.  Stop saying that kids play too many video games or spend too much time on TikTok.  This may be true in a sense, but we are not recognizing what these things provide them that we are not.  Video games and social media meet a social emotional need for many students and it is easy for them to stay in that lane.  Adults do it too.  Let's also stop saying that losing teams keep students from playing.  There are many exceptions to this.  I've seen several losing teams over the years with numbers.  I feel we get comfortable with saying this and we end up down a path of hiring and firing coaches.  This is a failing cycle in itself.

I think the best thing we can do as school leaders is to meet kids where they are, before we can build them to what we want them to be.  I will agree with many that say kids somehow need to feel special these days.  I think this is true, but if we are not using this understanding to get more kids playing then we are failing them.  I am definitely not a fan of giving every kid a trophy, but we can start with three simple things that help us focus on kids and not live on excuses.

Invest in the Extracurricular Environment

Yes, we need to spend a little bit of money.  It doesn't to hurt to budget funds each year to help the appearance and experience of our programs.  Upgrades to facilities are a great way to instill student pride. We all can't have turf football fields, but we should do the best we can.  Start with signage and print media to dress up a gym or field.  Establish uniform purchasing rotations so teams are wearing nice uniforms on a regular basis.  If it costs a teacher stipend to get your band in the gym, pay it.  If you have to pay a few bucks for a good announcer and music, pay it.  These dollars can go a long way to help kids want to be a part of this experience.

Encourage Student Cheering Sections

I saw a Tweet by a coach recently that good cheering sections make up about five points a game for basketball teams.  I would argue that it is much much more.  Good cheering sections show players that the students have their backs.  Who wouldn't want to go play games in an environment that surrounds and supports every team?  Mark off a designated section, encourage students to be there (don't charge them to get in), and actually teach them how to be a good cheering section.  The kids cheering have a great time and support the players in the game.  That's worth a lot more than five points.

Promote Their Work

A few years ago admins were encouraged to use social media to tell their stories.  I was shouting this from the rooftops as best as I could.  I remember lots of admins taking a firm stand against school social media, but most of them have all come around and can see what a powerful tool it can be.  Many schools right now are doing a great job using social media to promote games and events, report scores and most importantly they are celebrating students and their hard work.  This is the magic of social media.  Kids want to feel appreciated and valued.  It is better for them to find that on their school's social media accounts instead of in fake relationships they can easily find online.

I know there are many things outside of our control when it comes to getting kids to play.  Sadly, parent and student attitudes might play a part in that.  As difficult as these things can be, we should always be working with what we can control.  My three suggestions can go along way to encouraging students not just to play, but to be a part of something bigger than themselves.  To have so much school pride that they will find ways to participate.  Isn't that the goal?

A Note About Coaches

I know there is someone remarking that if the coaching was better, more kids would play.  In some cases, this is absolutely true but I want to challenge that thinking.  Pay attention to the coaches that stay even though numbers are bad.  They care about their kids and their sport.  Pay attention to the type of kids that stay with their coach even though the numbers are bad.  That means that coach is someone they believe in and will give everything that they have to them.  These coaches could easily quit, but they are there for the right reasons.  Sadly, this does not show up on the scoreboard.  These programs are doing the best they can with what they've got.  It is already challenging enough to find ways to win a game (Hoosier style), but to ask coaches to bear the sole responsibility for the numbers game is unfair.  School communities can make the biggest impact if we all share the responsibility.  The numbers game is OUR game to play.

Taking My Own Advice

 I used to love when prospective principals would call me and ask for interview advice. I would always share a very critical lesson that I learned as I moved on I’m my career. I would always tell them to give them all of your self in your interview because they want the right person more than anything else. Now it’s time to take my own advice. 

I remember the first years of my first two principal positions. They were rough in different ways. My first principalship was tough for obvious reasons but over time I learned that the board chose me for my leadership philosophy and ability, not for my technical knowledge. The more I grew in that position, I found that I fit better than I thought. 

My second principalship started out as a tremendous struggle with more challenges than any year dealing with COVID.  I had experience, but I was always backpedaling with behavior issues and the transition from high school to junior high. Over time, I saw that I was a better fit than I realized and I was chosen for my personal characteristics and not for any technical knowledge I might have. 

I am in my first year of my first superintendency and I can tell you that those first year feelings are back again. There are lots of technical challenges because well, it’s my first year. I’ve let those challenges dominate the personal qualities that made me a good fit for the position. I really like my new school and the kids have been great. The staff is determined to be the best they can for kids. I’m starting to see where my leadership style and character is beginning to take precedence over the struggle of technical challenges. 

It’s time to take my own advice. My board selected me for my fit in the position and the potential for me to make an impact on the district. I can’t be disparaged or caught up in the administrivia that comes with the job. Deadlines are important, but the people that depend on you should be riding shotgun. 

Everything Will Be Okay

Near the end of the school year, our English classes were giving how-to speeches.  One young lady wanted to show her classmates how to plant flowers.  She asked if there was a place on the property that she could do this.  Selfishly, I saw an opportunity for myself.  I usually plant the flowers around the flag pole and I water them each day only to see the deer come out and eat them every year.  I try hard and I have good intentions, but there are times it falls short.

So I told her to do my job and plant them around the flagpole.  I went out and watched that day.  She did a very good job with her presentation and had students help her plant the flowers.  When they were done, the soil work looked a little rough and I was mildly concerned for their survival.  Out of respect for their work, I did not try to correct it and after all the deer would be out soon to eat her flowers which I had warned her of.  I began to honor my commitment to her to water them each day, but I felt bad that I hadn't tried to make sure the planting work was better.

A few weeks went by and the deer had not touched the flowers.  In fact, the flowers were taking off and getting much bigger.  A couple weeks later the small little plantlings she started with had grown to fill the entire planting area around the flagpole.  The next week I had to leave for vacation.  When I returned I was prepared to see the flowers in very bad shape once I turned the corner.  To my surprise, they were thriving.  One of the custodians told me that he took over the watering duties while I was gone.  I was relieved because I had grown attached their success and didn't want to see her work be in vain.  It was sign of hope after a tough year.

This little story is simply a nugget to remind me that everything is going to be okay.  Educators often worry that they are not doing enough for their kids.  Did we not teach enough, where we not available enough and when some of our students fail, is our fault even if our effort was more than enough.  When you are a school leader, you feel that you might be falling short for your students and for your staff as well.  It is stressful and even small victories don't erase those feelings.

I want my people (educators) to know that its going to be okay.  This year hurt us, but we will recover.  Our students and their families will recover.  Just don't stop watering the flowers.  And know that if we can't, our school families will step up and water them for us.  Everything is going to be okay.

100 Pages In

I have decided to write a book.  Lets hope that at this time next year it is finished, but hey I'm writing a book.  I honestly wasn't getting too serious about telling folks until I hit the 100 page mark.  Now I'm there and things are getting real.  I don't have a publisher so yes, I'm doing this the hard way.

What's it about?  Is it a revolutionary new way to educate kids or lead schools?  That's not the intent, but I suppose it could be used for those purposes.  It is a deep dive into the changing political landscape and how dysfunctional it has become?  No, but it definitely provides policy recommendations to help people.  So what's the book about?  It is about my story and how it can shape other people's stories.  I'm a big Kevin Smith fan and I stumbled across this quote that empowered me to believe my story was valuable.

I am a product of generational poverty.  I am a survivor and now occupy the middle class.  I used to not give much thought to how I made it, but now that I look back on the cast and crew of my story I know this was no accident.  I'm not a rags to riches story of an inner city kid that made into professional sports.  I'm a little less boring, but my journey was aided by tremendous people and opportunities.  

In my book I will tell my childhood story and what it was like growing up in a rural area in a poor, non-traditional family.  Those experiences have taught me what people need to do to lift others up and prevent the cycles of poverty that keep people out of the middle class.  Many of the social ills that keep people in poverty can be addressed in a meaningful way.  I will look at being fatherless, being a free lunch kid at school and being a low wage worker.  With each chapter I will ask and answer a guiding question such as, Can post secondary education be a pathway out of poverty?  My colleagues know the answer to this, but I will use my experience and available data to show why.

Who knows?  Maybe I will get published and sell a million books.  Or maybe just a 100 books.  Either way, I want to tell my unique story and maybe help others in the process.  This writing stuff is difficult but rewarding and I have gained a lot of respect for authors.  I am excited about the prospect of becoming one of them.

Selfishly, I would like to ask for help.  The last chapter is about people like me.  If you know anyone that would like to be a case study for the book, please send them my way.  They can email me at ccass810@gmail.com.  

My Teacher Appreciation

This is a one of my favorite times of the year.  I enjoy scrolling through social media seeing all the ways schools across the state honor their teachers.  COVID or not, they deserve it and more.  Sure this was a tough year, but this is tough work with or without the challenges that COVID brought us.  I've written plenty about my respect for teachers, but today I am taking a different turn.  I want to show some respect for My teachers.

Next year I will taking a new position and leaving the building I have served for the past ten years.  I remember being told all those years ago that I was getting the best teachers in the district.  At the time I took this as lip service to a certain degree.  As it turns out, this assessment was more than accurate.  The teachers at Central Junior High School will always be the standard of comparison for me for the rest of my career.  There are lots of reasons for this, but let me hit the highlights.

CJHS teachers care about each other.  I know this could be said about a lot of teaching staffs, but I have always felt mine is different.  Yes, they have always helped each other when someone struggles.  But they also help each other when things are going well.  They share their professional learning and push each other to do better.  The field of education is a exercise in work that is never done and requires a continuous effort.  They continuously support each other because they know what I know, when teachers are at their best then kids can be at their best.   

CJHS teachers care about our kids.  I'm not just talking about grades.  I'm not just talking about test scores.  Junior high kids are at a crossroads in their academic and social lives and these folks understand this.  They are not afraid to form critical relationships that help every kid feel special and worthy.  This is special to me, because I was one of those kids that needed that when I was in school.  They celebrate them when they do well and their hearts hurt when they are struggling.  I've always said that heartbreak is a quality of a good teacher and they definitely show heart in their work.

CJHS teachers care about me.  I often tell colleagues that I am spoiled with a great teaching staff.  My next stat that I like to brag about is that we had a stretch of a about five or six years where we had no turnover in the teaching staff.  We have stuck together because they have been willing to give me a chance and I am forever grateful for that.  I seem to always be coming up with some new adventure for them that is aimed at serving our students.  I have had some good ideas and a bunch of not so good ones (Redbird Karate).  Nevertheless, they take the ride with me and challenge me when it needs to be done.  

I don't feel that I can ever honor this school family properly.  I have experienced more professional growth at this school than ever because of them.  I am a better school leader because of them and I will always compare other schools by their example.  At the end of my career I will be proud to say that I spent nearly a third of it at this wonderful place.  Leaving them will be very difficult, but it brings me peace that they will treat the next principal the same way.  

If you have ever taught at Central Junior High with us, thank you for the last ten years.  It has been an honor to serve with you and a blessing to know you.