And, it made me uncomfortable at first, but a lot of folks (adults) at school call me "Boss," affectionately. I guess I'm used to that now, and it's OK, because, well, I am the boss.
I was about 24 when I first started teaching high school , and I looked young. Some of the students looked older than me, in fact. Even after I grew the beard.
It was a Catholic school with a long, strong, and proud tradition of excellence in athletics. I was the band director. In fact, I founded the marching band at the school. I know I earned the respect of my band students quickly, but I know a few of the seniors had a hard time calling me "Mr. Gross." First, I guess it just sounded wrong to them. (We don't get to choose our surnames. While Gross means "large," or "great" in German, in English it doesn't sound quite as complimentary). Second, as I said, I didn't seem much older than them. I remember the day my bass player raised his hand to get my attention. He didn't want to call me "Mr. Gross." He knew I would not accept my first name as an address from students (though, that was kind of hip in those days).
"Uh, hey, uh...(he found his word)...Coach?"
Like I said, it was a sports-oriented school.
That worked. It fit. It stuck. I was "coach" from then on. I was the band coach. I was happy to answer to "Coach," which I found respectful, descriptive, and complimentary. When I left that school to move on with my career, the kids gave me a wool stadium blanket that said "De La Salle Spartans" on one corner and "Coach" on the other. And I've proudly answered to the moniker ever since.
I'm not a coach of musicians anymore, at least not as my day job. Now, I'm a coach of teachers. A boss of teachers, a teacher of teachers, and a coach of teachers.
"Coach," to me, is even better than "teacher" not because of the athletic connotation but because it implies a personalized, encouraging approach. Good coaching is good teaching, and good teaching is often coaching.
"Boss," just means, "the person in charge." So, my job description says I'm a boss of teachers, and a coach of teachers. I'm OK with that. But I know which is more important.
Stop calling me "boss." Call me "coach!"
Patrick, I am so proud to have known you so very long ago, when we were both geeky band students!, and know how far you have come and what you have accomplished! I hope you are very proud of yourself and I wish you nothing but great things and happiness in your coming adventures!
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