Junior High School

Yesterday, I subbed for a girl's PE class during my 1st period prep. The instructions were that the girls needed to get into their teams and play volleyball. I could not believe how pathetic these girls were! They whined; some of them didn't even want to play. Two girls brought notes from their MOMS! I was like, "give me a break!"

Then... I had a flashback to MY junior high PE experience, and I felt sympathy for these girls. You see there are two kinds of girls in PE: athletic and not. I was a not! I still am a not! Let me run, and I'm okay, but give me a ball and expect me to throw, catch, serve, etc. and I am horrible!

Junior High is awkward enough, and PE makes it that much more so. I remember feeling anxiety about PE class. Whatever sport we played, I would avoid the ball at all cost. As long as I cold "fake it" without actually having the do anything, I was okay. So, while I was still a little irritated that these girls wouldn't play, I also totally understood and empathized with them! There are so many times while teaching Jr High, I want to pull some of these kids aside and say, "It will all be okay. One day, you will be an adult, and this will not matter." I guess even our Jr High School experiences shape who we are today.