Easily the pinnacle of each summer, the fourth week hosts the most legendary game of basketball with the students playing against the teachers.
Every Friday, we organize a special event for the students. Some are more academically motivated like College Day or Career Day. But some are to increase the camaraderie between the students and the teachers. The first week is Spirit Week which showcases different activities to determine the winning team or Olympics where students compete in different games like Trivia or Hungry Hungry Hippos. But the best week, the most anticipated week of the summer, is always the Students vs. Faculty Game Day.
Starting Round
The first game of the day varies based on the year. Last year, we played mat ball against the students. But this year, by popular demand, we played volleyball. The students are required to participate in some capacity. For those that want to play a game, but don't feel confident enough for the main event, they can choose to play in this first round. It is also the opportunity where staff try to win the most points. Last year was an embarrassment. We could not catch a ball to save our lives. But this year, we were able to pull the game around. I was particularly excited for volleyball because I used to play in middle school. I felt like a kid again and really enjoyed playing.
Halftime
Between the starting round and the main event is a halftime performance. Both the students and the faculty choreograph a dance to perform between the games. Usually the issue is convincing the students that it would be fun to dance in front of their peers. For the teachers, we have no choice so we make the best of it. This year, the students decided to perform step which was really exciting. One of my fellow teachers helped to choreograph a little, but the students did a lot of it themselves. They were so excited to perform and did an incredible job!
For the teachers, I offered to choreograph since I have a background in dance. But between lesson plans, and creating activities, there was not enough time to create my own choreography. So I turned to Just Dance. We decided to do a mashup of four different songs: Crazy in Love, In the Summertime, What Makes You Beautiful, and Rasputin. It was actually so much fun to learn and perform and every did really well!
The Main Event
The whole day boils down to one event: the basketball game. For as long as Students vs. Faculty has been in existence, the basketball game is the pinnacle of the day. We had about 10 students every single day at recess playing basketball. They were really good, and the teachers...were not. I was so scared about playing basketball that I asked a friend to coach me in how to play. It helped a little. Apparently several years ago, the teachers did win in the basketball game. But for the past 6 years or so, the students have been the reigning champs. This year was no different. We ended with 6 points compared to the student's 22. It was a sad defeat, but one that I expected nonetheless. The day was so much fun and it was great to see the students and teachers so excited.