I am more than happy that I am not coaching an English debate team for any public school this year for Nationals. Most people think that I am getting the best of both coaching and judging, it seems. What makes it hilarious is that they don't see how hard it is to portray the neutrality as I am working with multiple schools when it comes to workshops, speech events, and winter training. Without the burden of coaching any public school team, I am now given free rein to literally judge as I please. If the matches are bad, there won't be any need to mince words. If the matches are good, I don't need to shower them with praises. This year's Taiwan High School English Debate Regionals and Nationals is going to be so awesome! The debaters are going to see themselves as they really are. There are no friendly matches where I will give any comments to help make them better before the real tournament. And that is totally fine. To be frank and realistic, I am not getting paid for friendly matches, much like any other full-time teacher. The only difference is, I am a freelance coach and technically, that should have been under my paid hours. I am sure most full-time public school teachers will disagree and say they don't have paid hours on this either. Here's my response to that: it is easy for them to say when they have a stable, monthly income to a job that almost guarantees they won't be fired. Since I am usually brought in to provide the coaching and help needed, that means the school teachers need my presence to make this possible. The reason why I accepted the unpaid friendly matches that I need to accompany debaters to in the past was that this is an integral part of coaching and the kids need me there to boost their mental stability. Some people understood and were grateful. Others were not so cordial in their responses. But all that talk is just mute if they don't understand and act on it. That's mostly why I am building Education Legion as my brand to critical thinking and English coaching/mentoring, as well as teaching part-time at a less prestigious public high school. The resistance and bureaucratic red tape that surrounds the notion of a freelance coach being a public school's coach just seemed to wear me out a bit too much after 5 years, but I am super grateful for all the teachers that have given me the opportunity to work with them, in good and bad times. Education Legion is not just some cram school startup. We are going to aim at bringing education to the next level and force schools to up their game. Since no war of such is fought alone, we will slowly assemble as a team, strengthen our core skills, and reach out to those within the system that still understands the value of collaboration and educated outsourcing. I am hopeful of the future, weary of the potential risks, and always looking for open windows. Peace out.
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May 2022
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