Dana Burkholder Volleyball
Dana Burkholder's Philosophy and Approach
Volleyball is my life's work. I fought this realization for a period of time after college, but once I accepted how much I loved the game, coaching and working with people it has become my life, again.
Philosophy
The opportunity to teach young minds how to learn, incorporate knowledge and work with peers is a gift. It requires a teacher who is willing to teach skill development, communication and teamwork again and again. Understanding this position, respecting and enjoying this responsibility, and continually challenging ones teaching ability is a rewarding undertaking.
Teaching Approach
* Make every effort to teach with your heart. Keep the idea in mind that you and the student are trying to JOIN together in the learning process and that respecting the student and their process comes from patience and a love for teaching
* Make every effort to understand what you are teaching and how to teach it
* Make every effort to teach entirely through inspiration, demonstration and repetition
* Make every effort to believe in the student more than they believe in themselves
* Make every effort to believe in the student longer than they have the capacity for
* Make every effort to be patient with different students learning abilities and learning willingness. Encourage learning willingness and coachability with students who resist instruction
* Make every effort to maintain a consistent practice and learning environment
* Make every effort to discipline without anger. This encourages trust and not fear. This encourages an understanding in the student that you are trying to teach them that there are consequences in life and on the volleyball court, while at the same time respecting their ability to choose and improve their learning ability. Fear is a quick response teaching tool that is ineffective, period. Overtime it disenfranchises the student and creates a barrier to learning and communication between the student and teacher
* Make every effort to recognize when you are off-track and make an adjustment. Any coach can get fixated on a problem, just recognize it and try not to hold onto it. This will benefit YOU tremendously and therefore the student as well
* Make every effort NOT to show effects to students varied tantrums. The teacher is the adult in the relationship and should maintain a stable and consistent mindset and demeanor at all times. Students
succeed in a consistent environment where they know what to expect, understand the progression of
learning, trust the teacher, and feel comfortable making mistakes in
progress
* Make every effort to dissolve problems you have with players (and parents if applicable) within yourself. On the surface things may not improve for some time, but you should not let problems keep you from teaching effectively at all times
* Make every effort to be a great coach, the best you've ever seen, because that's your challenge!
