I'll Try Anything Once...

Growing up, I wouldn’t say that I was a picky eater, but there were definitely foods I didn’t like. Mostly foods from the vegetable family, or foods that included vegetable medleys. Green beans, peas, broccoli, squash, and tomatoes topped the list. My mom was a pretty good cook growing up, but I can’t say that I liked everything.

The Devil

We usually ate dinner as a family, and the clear expectation was that we ate what was put in front of us. This often times meant that my green beans “fell” into the floor vent, it also exposed me to trying different foods whether it was at our dinner table or someone else’s. If you put a new food in front of me, I will try it, but no promises on if I will like it.

Armed with this “mantra,” and with my taste buds changing over time, I have learned that even some of my most hated foods could be good if approached from a different angle. I still don’t like cooked peas, but throw some fresh peas in an overnight salad or serve up a close relative in steamed edamame and I’m in. Steamed broccoli still reminds me of rotten mayonnaise, but give me a stem of fresh broccoli with some veggie dip and I’m in. My dad once cut green beans in half and added these to the pancake batter before serving us “breakfast for dinner” one night when Mom wasn’t home. I didn’t like it. I tried sautéing various cuts of green beans in bacon grease (after all, who doesn’t like bacon?). I didn’t like it. Nonetheless, when my wife and I serve green beans at our house, Daddy has always mysteriously “already eaten” his before dinner even starts!

Why am I telling this story? Who cares about what Justin Miller shoves into his face and what he doesn’t? I thought it was a good analogy to my life as an instructional coach. I will try most anything at least once, including different teaching and learning strategies. We can try new things together. I am willing to play the role of cook and make some minor tweaks to something you already do, much like offering fresh peas as opposed to cooked. I can be a fresh set of eyes for an idea you have and help point out the pluses and pitfalls you might not see. During dinner, my parents always eventually looked away, and little Justin dropped beans down the floor vent in the kitchen. My parents didn't discover my deeds until years later when they had their vents cleaned before listing their house (they may have appreciated an extra set of eyes). I can help tweak an already good lesson, and possibly make it great. Much like the #5 Vito sandwich at Jimmy John’s is so much better without tomatoes.

Home of the 4 Star!

Ask us for help with just about anything, it’s our job. My mom could have mailed it in and ordered Other Place pizza every night and I would have been perfectly content. Instead, she chose to put different things in front of me. Some I liked, and some made me gag. I have yet to find a way to like green beans, just like I have yet to find a way to ensure every kid hands in every assignment on time. I will keep trying what is put in front of me.

Is this a challenge for you to line up at my door, with a jar of pigs feet or mountain oysters? Not really, I’ve already tried these anyway. More trying to illustrate a willingness and interest in trying new things with teachers. Do you want to try a new lesson? I’m in. Do you want someone to go skydiving with? I’m in. Do you want to invite me over for a dinner that includes green beans and cooked peas? I respectfully decline.