1) Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed -- whether in this class, or outside of this class. Don't spare any details! It'd be even better if there was something you tried several times this semester, and failed each time.
Y'all ready for a sh*t show? I failed at making a personal connection with a coach in order to keep my job "essential" and failed my athletes.
I'm brutally honest, especially in my sport. In the way I lead, in the way I teach, and in the way I communicate. I was warned this guy was quirky, weird, and difficult. I like challenges though.SO, I failed... Over and over and over again. I changed up my persona, my coaching habits, my communication methods all to appease this employer. First HUGE mistake. He repeatedly told staff members I was here because they needed a female in this position. I wasn't wanted from the beginning, I was only there as a body in position. I was given not responsibilities, when asked for items to work on was told MULTIPLE times "Don't worry about it, I'll do it. I already know the system and I don't want to wait on you to finish it." Second, I didn't follow my gut when something felt wrong. I had a senior who was given access to our social media platforms, and the only people allowed to have this social media access was the head coach and this athlete. Red Flag. Then I overheard her threatening to notify our freshman's parents and send videos of the things they were doing on campus. I reported it, he said he would handle it... I failed my athletes by believing that he would. After two more threats from this senior to our lower-classmen, I spoke up again and was met with the comment, "We have bigger fish to fry." Meaning not only did he not care, he didn't do anything about it. I failed my athletes. Now the BIGGEST Red flag was when I was told I was not to talk to administration about ANYTHING, and I had to ask permission to speak to anyone outside of our two man office. So, I failed myself for not standing up for what's right until it was too late.
Eventually, I spoke up. I reported the man only to be failed by the school system. I was laid off due to "Covid-19" but recently discovered that he was notified of the reporting, and shown all the evidence, and they are currently in the process of trying to hide it, hide the inappropriate relationship he had with an athlete, and trying to buy my silence.
Failure is hard. Especially when dealing with an "old boys club" (their words, not mine) and you're not a member. Failure is hard when you're trying to do the right thing, and thinking you're moving in the right direction, only to be hit with the realization that some people don't do what's right. They do what's necessary.
I won't take the same risk. If I don't know the coach, I won't work for them. I should've realized when I researched the program and saw that it wasn't getting better, and that he was already part of a program that was forced to shut down due to lack of ability to maintain the sport, that this guy was a huge red flag.
Is this something I'm proud of? Absolutely not. But it did make me realize that people put on a mask and to trust my gut feeling. I failed my athletes and myself. I'd say the school, but I don't support organizations that tolerate hazing, bullying, and inappropriate coach to athlete relationships.
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