How is Teaching like Olympic Gymnastics?
 

I feel a mixture of sadness and anticipation as the Paris 2024 Olympics have concluded, but I am eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Paralympics. While watching the pinnacle of athletic competition, my family and I found particular enjoyment in Gymnastics and Track and Field events. As we immersed ourselves in the excitement, I found myself observing the coaches and drawing parallels between their roles and the teaching profession.

I found this clip of Simone Biles' Bar Routine at the Olympics and this clip from the the 2024 U.S. Championships, take notice of what her coach, Laurent Landi, is doing Before, During, and After her routine.

Upon observing the Landi's coaching style, I noticed that he employs a balanced approach to guidance and support, much like a good teacher. At the U.S. Championships, he begins with a quick reminder (much like a warm-up exercise), setting the stage for Simone. As she performs, he offers support but refrains from leading or interrupting, allowing Simone to grapple with the task at hand. After the performance, Coach Landi shifts into a role of encouragement and positive reinforcement, acting as her cheerleader.

This approach raises important questions about the way we teach our students. Are we perhaps doing too much for them? Allowing students to struggle with conceptual learning helps them develop the tools needed for deep understanding and allows them to make meaningful connections to the material. This aligns with research that suggests that students benefit from being given space to engage with and process information independently, ultimately leading to more profound and enduring learning outcomes.

Image Source: https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/07/28/simone-biles-olympics-paris-games-twisties/

Paula Siekas, M.Ed.
Secondary Math Specialist