Some teachers live at the school. Not literally, but it feels that way because they’re always at the schools before anybody else arrives and after everybody leaves. Even though everyone knows that teachers have their own lives outside of school, sometimes, it may seem as if students forget that.
It’s important that teachers are also seen as other people with their own interests and hobbies, too! Outside of just teaching, some teachers spend their free time with family, taking care of their own kids, or spending time with friends. Other teachers, like Mrs. Vroman and Mr. Tubbs have a different idea of how they spend their free time.
Their idea of time outside of school (besides being with family), is enjoying the outdoors and having fun being active! “I play soccer (indoor and outdoor), and I dabble in tennis, ping pong, and pickleball,” Mrs. Vroman stated. In contrast, Tubbs states, “I play disc golf, and I play in some men’s basketball league in the summer, and I play pickleball, as well”.
While having a full time job that requires someone to be available to other people almost all the time, it can be quite challenging to be able to manage both work and personal freedom with extra-curriculars, but with the right mindset, it is possible to make time for both. Mrs. Vroman commented, “I work hard, so I allow myself to play hard. I make time. I usually play on Wednesday nights, but indoor soccer this year is on Friday nights.” Along with Mrs. Vroman’s display of perseverance, Mr. Tubbs includes, “I play when I have free time more so in the summer than the spring or fall.”
Moreover, while balancing work and play is definitely a challenge that most like Mrs. Vroman and Mr. Tubbs face, there are other challenges that they also face playing the sports.
For example, “My biggest challenge is old age. I am not as fast as I used to be, and my knees are not great,” Vroman stated. To add on, “The heat is sometimes pretty gross. I have had to fight some geese, and when it gets too windy, the game gets pretty unplayable,” Tubbs adds in. Although some challenges may seem bigger than others, something that is still difficult to overcome or to get through is still a challenge, but that never means there isn’t a solution. To help with the challenge of getting through the sport with not so great knees, Vroman reassures, “I ice my knees and stretch, and Ibuprofen helps, too.” In a different perspective, “I take some deep breaths” Tubbs stated.
Some teachers have picked up a sport in their free time, much like how Mr. Tubbs picked up disc golf. “I have been playing for 10 years,” Tubbs replied. Though in contrast, Mrs. Vroman has been playing her sport of soccer for quite awhile longer than Tubbs has been playing his own sports. “I have been playing pretty much all my life. I was on the first ever Rock Island Girls Soccer Team. I played at Augustana College, and I played in adult leagues in Chicago and in Davenport,” Vroman highlights.
Although playing sports can be physically and or mentally draining, it is not always bad! There are always bright sides to doing something you love, especially if it is for fun. “I enjoy getting outside and hanging out with my friends,” Tubbs highlights. In addition, Vroman also adds in, “I enjoy getting exercise in a fun way, as well as hanging out with my teammates.”
All in all, it is truly amazing how two different teachers who play two different sports are able to show the same amount of passion and hard work to thrive, as not just a teacher, but as another person balancing work and life, having their own kind of fun as adults!
