Lupe Throws Like A Girl

Lupe held her lesson plan assignment with a C- scrawled in the top margin by Dr. Phillips. It was not the grade that she was expecting after all her hard work.

“What do you mean education theory?”

“There are actually educators, teachers, who write about various ways to teach,” Dr. Phillips said. “Your lesson plans are only game plans for your team—practice schedules and things like that.”

“Of course they are. That’s how kids learn the fundamentals of softball.” Lupe was disappointed after working hard to meet the education class requirements.

“Can you think of any other ways kids learn? Education theory claims there are multiple ways to learn,” Dr. Phillips said.

“Well, they are crazy. I coach the same way I learned. It’s practical,” Lupe said.

“Now you see, you are using a hands-on form of practical education. That’s a very modern theory of education,” Dr. Phillips said.

“I still don’t understand what you are saying. And I need way better than a C- on my lesson plans. I intend to transfer to a university at the end of this year.” Lupe slumped down in Dr. Phillips’s office chair.

“That’s exactly why I’m going to assign a tutor to you for the rest of the semester. Do you know Ron Fink?” Dr. Phillips leaned forward across her desk. “He’s a great education student. He’s going to be a teacher, and I think he can really help you improve your papers.”

“Ron Fink? I’ve never met him. Does he play ball?” Lupe imagined this tutor as a skinny fellow with a crew cut. “Will he understand what I do with the kids?”

“I’m sure you’ll get along. I’ve asked him to observe your East Side team games on Saturday, and then meet you before class in the library.” Dr. Phillips was nodding her head in an encouraging way. “Frankly, this is the only way for you to improve your grades.”

“There’s no other way?” Lupe squirmed in the chair.

“Just try it. He’ll be at your game this Saturday; you can meet him then.” Dr. Phillips was still nodding her head up and down.

“I only hope this guy already knows something about softball.” Lupe tore up her lesson plan for Saturday’s game. “So much for this paper I already wrote.”