How many times have you heard someone say, “Those who can’t do, teach (or coach)”? How many times have you said it, or thought it? I think we all probably have at some point in our lives. Except for those who know early on that what they want to do is teach or coach. They know already that teachers and coaches are valuable for their ability to teach and coach, independent of their ability to “do” what they teach or coach.
Over the weekend I saw the video “What Teachers Make” that tackles this question head on. (Found via Seth’s Blog.)
Back in December 2008, I wrote about Malcolm Gladwell’s Q&A with ESPN during his Outliers book tour, in which he had this to say about coaches:
I always find it incredible that an NFL team will draft a running back in the first round, give him a $10 million signing bonus, and get, maybe, four good years out of him. Suppose you spent $10 million finding and training the equivalent of Mike Leach — someone who could create a system so good that it could make even the most mediocre athletes play like stars. You could get 40 years out of him.
Good teachers and coaches are invaluable to our children. And to adults, if we are smart enough to go out and find one.
no straight lines 
Of all the teachers and coaches I’ve had over the years, I would have to say that it was my 10th grade Analytical Geometry teacher, Bob Overcamp, that had the most profound and lasting impact on me. His love of discovery and figuring things out – and his ability to inspire the same in his students – is simply unforgettable.
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