I think the presence of parents here striving to place their children on
teams indicates they would not be short changing the kids. I haven't met
any coaches that I felt did not give 100%. What I meant was that a lot of
people hear the word coach and assume you must know robotics or have
coached before and it scares them off. That is far from the case. There are
no special technical skills involved to 'coach' a team.

On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:27 AM, Sabrina Hsu <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I may be one of the ones who are overthinking the role of a coach here
> (actually I know I am), but if I am taking responsibility for children of
> others and not just mine, I sure the heck will want to give my best and
> utilize whatever resources out there or available to me to ensure that the
> children's experience in the project is not without merit -- that it is as
> much fun and rewarding as possible, with appropriate learning involved.
>  With that as goal, I prefer quality and value over oh-just-do-it or just
> fill in the time approach to the project.  I am willing to invest my time
> to learn not just about the scope of the project but whatever preparation
> or homework that I may have to do to be useful and be an effective
> facilitator and a coach to the children.
>
> Yes, sure, reading up on all the provided materials by yourself at home,
> following the signing up and paying for the registration is great. But in
> our days of Internet, one of the other things I find useful are networks
> like this IF I can connect with other newbie coaches as well as other more
> experienced coaches who are willing to share, encourage, discuss, support,
> etc.
>
> I am a rookie coach this year. My young child loves Legos and robotics
> (who knew); but I do not come from a teaching or coaching background nor
> with much experience working with groups of kids.  I have found VADCFLL
> listserve to be quite helpful although many of the posts that fly there are
> specifically geared to FLL. Nevertheless, questions from new coaches or
> topics and posts in general relating to rookie teams or new coaches all
> have been informative and tones supportive.  I appreciate forums like this, and
> I think it is beneficial to everyone both the experienced and the new
> parties when the network encourages open, friendly, active communication.
>
> Thanks for allowing me to share my post.
>
> Sabrina
>
>
>
> --- On *Tue, 10/16/12, Wendy Newton <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Wendy Newton <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Subject: Re: [VADCJRFLL-L] Jr.FLL Expo-Ashburn-Nov 3rd
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 4:44 AM
>
>
> I feel the use of the term coach in Jr.FLL overstates the role of the
> position and tends to intimidate parents into thinking more skills are
> required than actually are. There is no advanced knowledge you need to do
> it, just the willingness to work with kids. I have started telling people
> it is like doing a school project with your kids, but the model is built
> out of LEGO instead of batteries, or plants or wet toilet paper and
> quarters. They still make the tri fold poster, you still encourage them
> towards the goals. The materials they give you when you register your team
> even includes a schedule you can use for each of your meetings with
> different activity ideas. You could stick to that or customize it to fit
> your team.
>
> On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 7:18 AM, Nancy Baker <[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
>
> Are any parents of interested children available to be coaches as well?
>  My husband and I could support the coach but wouldn't be equipped to
> actually do the coaching.
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:32:44 -0700
> From: [log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
>
> Subject: Re: [VADCJRFLL-L] Jr.FLL Expo-Ashburn-Nov 3rd
> To: [log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> My son is in 3rd grade and is interested in joining a team in the Burke,
> Fairfax Station and Lorton area.
>
>    *From:* "[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>"
> <[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
> >
> *To:* [log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
> *Sent:* Monday, October 15, 2012 11:09 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [VADCJRFLL-L] Jr.FLL Expo-Ashburn-Nov 3rd
>
> I am interested joining a team for my son. We are in lorton area, my son
> is in 4th grade, he just turned 9 in September.
>
> Thanks,
> Deepa
>
> Sent from my HTC on the Now Network from Sprint!
>
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "Sally Sylvester" <[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
> >
> Date: Sun, Oct 14, 2012 9:04 pm
> Subject: [VADCJRFLL-L] Jr.FLL Expo-Ashburn-Nov 3rd
> To: <[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
> >
>
> Hello Jr. FLL teams,
>
>   *On November 3rd, there will be an FLL tournament and Jr. FLL Expo at
> Eagle Ridge Middle School*
>  *in Ashburn, VA.  *
>
>  We are currently able to accept up to ten teams.
>  If you are interested in registering for this event, please contact me at
> [log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
> .
>  The cost to attend the tournament will be $25 per team.
>  Please send me your team name and number as well as the number of
> children on your team.
>
>  *Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis and will close on
> October 21st, * in order to give us enough time to finalize details for
> the Expo.  This will be Eagle Ridge’s first Jr. FLL Expo and we plan on
> having several activities for the children, including making team flags,
> pairing each team with an FLL team to give the kids VIP access to the pit
> area and practice matches, as well as a surprise activity.  More details
> will be available closer to the Expo date.  We are all very excited and I
> look forward to meeting you soon.
>
>  ~Lindsey Vanderlyn,
>  Jr. FLL Expo Director"
>   To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit
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>
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>

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