The Hurdles & Pitfalls of Modern Education

Sitting at my desk in the staff room, I noticed my students on the field training for sports day. It was funny to watch them, especially the smaller ones, try to clear the 70cm hurdles. I'd never done hurdles, but from channel surfing past the Olympics every four years, I had an idea of how it should look, and my students weren't even close.

I thought, "Hey, I’ve always wanted to try track and field. This is my chance to join my students in an activity we're all new at. Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, we can learn together and have fun." Less altruistically, I also thought, "I've always dreamt of breaking a finish line ribbon. They're only 13 years old, and the hurdles are short for me. I bet I could kick their ass!" I couldn't pass this up. It was imperative that I join the class.

A few minutes later I was in my workout clothes, pumped at getting ready to show these kids how the hurdles should be done.

Excited whispers of  "Oooh, Aaron-sensei" rippled through the class as I walked out to the field, and I felt my confidence surge. We set up the first race, the buzzer went off, and I took off with everything I had. Dash, dash, jump!... dash, dash, jump! I was doing OK, but I was way behind little Keisuke. I had to win. So I pushed... way too hard. I used butt muscles never used before, by anyone. My body, shocked, shut down all processes until it could figure out what happened, even the part that kept my legs going. I stumbled into the next hurdle and crumpled to the dirt in pain as the students laughed.

Although I was able to continue doing practice races for the rest of the class, I woke up the next morning feeling like my pelvis had been mauled by a bear from all sides.

I ended up being sore for a week. I hobbled to and from my classes. Knowing what happened, my normally stoic colleagues couldn't help but snicker when they watched me stand up or sit down. Rather embarrassing, but considering my motives it was probably a good learning experience. And what exactly did I learn?

Don't watch the Olympics, and don’t follow your dreams.