Think about the teacher who actually listens to you when you need them to, or the coach who cheers the loudest when you score in a game. We spend almost every single day at school and practice. It is easy to think that the only thing they do is give us homework and make us run laps during practice. But actually, they do way more than that; they help us figure out who we are and show us how not to give up when things get tough.

Taking a risk when a coach tells you to try a sport you have never played before. Is exactly what happened to Ana Cernucan, a freshman. She said, “When my track season ended, Coach Q told me I should do basketball. I’ve never played before, but since she was the basketball coach, I decided to give it a try. I learned how to play, and I was so glad to be able to have her as my coach.” Students like Ana Cernucan learn to try new things, and they ended up enjoying the new experiences and the friendships. Ana explained, “Even though I don’t play basketball anymore, the year I did play with her as my coach persuaded me to play for two more. Along the way, I made so many new friends who I still am close with to this day.”

Other students shared similar experiences with teachers and coaches helping them stay motivated during stressful times. Brittani Morales, a freshman, said her teachers and coaches constantly reminded her to keep doing what she loves even when life gets difficult. “Mr. Nejame would tell me to keep doing stuff I love even if I have other stuff getting in the way.” She also said, “Coach Coleman believed in me.” The most important lesson she learned was to stay consistent, even when nobody notices the hard work.

Paola Hernandez said coaches and teachers taught her that success takes effort and determination. She said that she reminds herself of lessons from both school and sports whenever she feels unmotivated. “I always remember that to succeed in life you need to put in the work,” Paola explained. She also shared that one bad game does not define her as a player. Their encouragement helped her continue pushing herself instead of giving up.

Freshman Camila Romero also said her basketball coach had a major impact on her confidence. “My basketball coach believed in me when I doubted myself,” Romero said. “Because of him, I learned so many things, not just in basketball, but for my future too.” Camila explained that the advice she received motivated her both academically and personally. She said that when she gets a bad grade,  she studies harder and keeps trying instead of giving up. Yaritza Rivera, a freshman, shared that her coach constantly reminded her to “always push through.” Support from her coaches helped motivate her to keep working towards her goals.

Here at Osbourn High School, students agree that coaches and teachers do much more than teach lessons or coach sports. Through encouragement and advice, they help students gain confidence, improve their work ethic, and become better versions of themselves.

What is a piece of advice that you have received from a coach or a teacher? Tell us in the comments!