Hunter Waltz

VTFT II - ED Rising Speech

Growing up, I was very fortunate to have two parents who wanted me to pursue a career I am

passionate about. They never put pressure on me to follow in their footsteps in the business

world and they were always curious about what I wanted to do. Like an abundance of little boys

in the world, I always wanted to be a professional athlete and more specifically a football player.

After quite a few doctor visits, I realized I was going to max out at about 5’9…170 pounds. Not

quite the ideal height and weight for a professional football player.

So in my mind, the next best career path was to become a football coach. More specifically, a

collegiate football coach. This is the level where I could offer kids an opportunity to be in a

better situation. I could give back to my community while obtaining an education. I could

compete in and coach the game I love at a higher level.

So throughout high school, I was constantly seeking paths to attain my goal, and resources to

improve my coaching skills. I was meeting with my high school coaches before and after

practice daily to review film, discuss strategy, and to just learn from them. I would ask how they

got their introduction to coaching and advice for what path to take. I even began reaching out to

colleges I was interested in about becoming a graduate assistant volunteer after I earned my

degree.

My head was always circling around on how I could get one step closer to my goal.
One day during my sophomore year, I was approached in the hall by our school's Virginia

Teacher for Tomorrow teacher, Mrs. Nardelli. She was advertising for the course and asking if I

had any interest in teaching. I shared with her my intentions of coaching. I planned on ending

the conversation politely, walking to my next class, and carrying on with my day….and my life.

Thankfully, I didn’t escape that easily. She persisted and continued to inform me how VTfT

could assist in my dream of coaching and enlightened me on all of the skills that coaching and

teaching share. One hour after my conversation with Mrs. Nardelli, I was sitting in my school

counselors office adding Virginia Teacher for Tomorrow to my schedule. But I still had very little

knowledge of what I was really getting myself into.

Flashforward two years later: I couldn’t be any more thankful for Virginia Teacher For

Tomorrow.

Not only have my eyes been opened to the relationship between: Teaching and coaching. But I

was introduced to the world of education.

Throughout the first five months of my junior year in VTfT I, I was introduced to the very basics

of teaching. I never had realized how many different aspects go into teaching: Classroom

management, making accommodations for students, creating lesson plans, finding engaging

strategies. There was so much more than talking about curriculum like I ignorantly believed for

so many years. One of my favorite topics covered was student/teacher relationships. How a

teacher has to relate and work with students with different strengths, beliefs, and backgrounds.

This relates directly to coaching and connecting with your athletes. This class was quickly
increasing my tools for coaching that I could use later in life. Everyday I entered the class

engaged, ready to learn skills to prepare me for my coaching career.

But my drive and purpose in this course, and my career would soon change.

In the second half of the course, we were sent out on our internships to serve under cooperating

teachers in feeder schools. From the first day, I was hooked. I was assigned to work with a sixth

grade SEL class. I was unfamiliar with what a SEL even meant. But I learned that SEL stands for

Social Emotional Learning. The purpose of the class was for students to build emotional

relationships during the pandemic. I loved it and soaked in every moment of that internship.

Getting to watch students grow and break out of their shell during an activity I would design was

one of the most rewarding feelings I had experienced.

I can think of several fascinating and funny stories from my internship with that sixth grade SEL

class. But not one memory stands above the rest. The experience as a whole was equally as

valuable and enjoyable. But I never would’ve expected the impact it had on me and the career I

wanted to pursue.

I am now in my second year of Virginia Teachers For Tomorrow and I enjoy the class just as

much as VTfT I Enough so when people ask what I want to do, I proudly state I want to become

a teacher. The same way I wanted to connect with athletes and teach the game I love, I can

connect with students and educate and influence them. Teaching an SEL class presented me with
the ability to guide and impact students. Teaching is where I believe my skill set will be utilized

the best to help others.

Virginia Teachers For tomorrow has motivated me to make it my goal to teach and coach at my

future alma mater, Frank W. Cox High School. This school has meant so much to my family and

me and I want to give back.

My goal of becoming a teacher will also still allow me to pursue my dream of coaching. I plan

on coaching the game I love with the same energy at the High School level than I would’ve at the

collegiate level. The lessons I learn in the classroom will be parallel to the ones on the field and

I will improve drastically because of it.

I couldn’t be more grateful. VTfT opened my eyes to a passion that I had let myself ignore for so

long. I now see the true power of the teaching profession. A teacher's influence can be absolutely

crucial for a student's success in the same way I saw a coach could influence an athlete. So

whether I am preparing my players for a game under the Friday night lights or I’m preparing my

students for a test, I know I’ll be able to help and influence kids for a long time.