• rhacer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    44·
    1 month ago

    Two men other than my father had dramatic impact on my life. Both of them were PE teachers, one in elementary school and one in high school.

    I was awkward, uncoordinated, and a social outcast. I was always the last picked when teams were picked. My elementary school PE teacher solved this by making me the “captain” and I got to pick the teams.

    My high school PE teacher, who won State championships and coached future NBA all-stars still had time to be my doubles partner when we were playing tennis.

    Those two men were definitely my champions.

    • Tillyrblue@lemmy.world
      11·
      1 month ago

      In middle school I was bullied for being jewish by pretty much everyone. One day in the cafeteria the PE teacher we had at the time caught word of this and called me over to have a private conversation to tell me that what the other kids were doing wasn’t right and gave me some background on himself. It did make me feel better and after that moment the bullying didn’t affect me. A few years later he sadly passed away from heart complications, I’ll never forget the talk we had and that he had my back.

      • rhacer@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        1 month ago

        I think PE teachers often get a bad rap. I’m grateful that you got a good one also.