News Detail

Mustang Message: Why It's Good That Football Players Wear Tights

by Dr. Jeffrey L. Mitchell, Head of School

Happy New Year. I hope you had a restful, relaxing break with family and friends. We are eager to see your children back on campus tomorrow.
 
This morning, we began with our traditional welcome back faculty/staff breakfast and plenary meeting. As part of each meeting this year, I have asked staff members to share This I Believe essays with the larger group. We are modeling this after the popular series on National Public Radio.
 
Today, we heard from US Teacher Tim Mathews and Asst. Head of School Chad Handshy. Tim talked about his belief in having a sense of humor, and Chad talked about value. Next, I talked about my belief in football players who wear tights. Let me explain.
 
When I was at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, something occurred that resonated and stayed with me.
 
It was about 5 p.m. on a beautiful fall day. As I walked to my car, I saw three boys running with some purpose – but also with the carefree nonchalance of teenagers. They were dressed in frilly shirts and tights. It was soon clear that they just finished play rehearsal for a fall production of one of Shakespeare’s plays, and they were now racing over to the football field to catch the last part of practice.
 
This memory has stayed with me for more than 10 years because it represents something I have always profoundly believed in – the power of opportunity.
 
Great independent schools give students rare opportunities. They can, for example, play football and participate in a school play. Students learn life lessons on the field, court and stage that are difficult to replicate in the regular classroom. Better yet, they experience the life-long benefits of collaboration and teamwork – keys to success in any profession.
 
With opportunity comes discovery and appreciation. When a football player discovers he can act, his confidence grows across the board. On the other hand, when great football players discover they are merely average actors, a healthy humility might sprout. Either way, appreciation grows through participation.
 
In strong and supportive schools like ours, our hope is that even the most reticent students will take chances. This leads to a higher comfort level with failure, which always leads to greater success in the long run. This is one reason why we offer a wide variety of arts, electives and programs such as no-cut, placement-based athletics that allow students to always “make the team.”
 
While this is a strong memory for me, it is not just football players in tights I believe in. It just as easily could be volleyball players scurrying to a forensics competition, basketball players scrambling to rock band practice, or soccer players rushing over to the yearbook meeting. In all cases, comfort zones grow thanks to opportunity.  In the process, students gain self-esteem, learn life-lessons, and are better prepared for citizenship and for life.
 
Here’s to a wonderful 2015 together – and to many opportunities for our students to discover new strengths, step out of their comfort zones, and grow. This is an important New Year’s resolution I have for our students, and one that I hope you will partner with us in pursuing.
Back
Date Posted Arrow down
  • Kate McKee
    1/6/2015 @ 9:46 AM
    I agree with you 100%!! I wish all independent schools had the same priorities as Currey Ingram, but sadly, very few do. It took sending our oldest son to boarding school to find a high school where he could participate in the sports he loves and the arts. Too often in Nashville, well rounded kids are shut out of athletic teams because they did not specialize at a young age. Parents feel compelled to hire private coaches and put their kids on year-round travel teams to give them a chance to make the team. These kids don't have time to think about being in a play or playing in a band and too often are set up for disappointment. I'm so grateful that Tully is at CIA. He is thriving academically and I can't wait to watch him try new things in the coming years in CIA's safe and encouraging environment. Thank you for getting it right!
  • Jennifer Bays
    1/5/2015 @ 8:32 PM
    Thanks, Dr. Mitchell. The Currey Ingram culture of opportunity and trust has bred confidence in our 3rd grader to "get out there". It's a willingness to do hard things, take risks, and cheer others on in their pursuits, too.

List of 1 items.

Currey Ingram Academy is an exemplary JK-12 day and boarding school that empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential. Since 2002, the school has been located on an 83-acre campus in Brentwood, Tennessee, just miles from Nashville and Franklin. Families from 33 states and eight countries cite the school as their primary reason for moving to Middle Tennessee.

Currey Ingram Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).