History Teachers Make Historic Coaches
by Abby Clark 10/5/2024
Across the country, a distinct stereotype persists surrounding male social studies teachers who are also coaches of sports teams. Cony is no exception, apart from one teacher, the entirety of the social studies department coaches a team at Cony. With this stereotype, these men are often seen or think of themselves as coaches first and educators second. This is where our Cony teachers break the mold. Not only are they great coaches who lead their teams to success, but they are also capable teachers who show passion in their work, bettering the lives of their students. I will share the stories of a few of our teachers who embrace their dual identities, using their coaching experiences to enhance their teaching methods and form an engaging environment on both fronts.
Before diving into the lives of our teacher coaches, I want to first delve into the stereotype itself. Males and sports have a strong connection. It scratches that competitive itch that most men possess and ties into their masculinity. When asked for insight into this stereotype, TJ Maines, former Cony boys basketball coach and U.S. history teacher said, “There is the same social aspect in both that I think guys are drawn to, the discussions and connections you can build.” This perception is quite accurate, as a member of many sports teams and many social studies classes, I do feel a similar factor of open social discussion that enriches the experience.
In the intersection of education and athletics, one social studies teacher stands out not only for his engaging classroom instruction but also for his role as the head coach of the school’s football team. BL Lippert shows how this stereotype can have positive connotations through his ability to engage and challenge both his students and athletes. His versatility in the classroom translates into effective coaching. He teaches with the thought that kids “can’t do something you don’t teach them”. Lippert preaches that “you really can’t get mad, you just have to teach and let them try it.” After talking to both students of Lippert’s AP Government class and athletes on his football team it is clear that he has figured out this parallel between sports and teaching and found a way to succeed in both. Leading his team to a state championship in 2013, as well as many playoff appearances since, his players praise him for being a great coach, always having their backs and pushing them to get better. This story is similar for students in his AP Gov class. Having had Lippert the previous year as well, they shared their dislike for the amount of work he assigned but recognized that it prepared them for the complexity of the AP tests. Last year, the students earned the highest APUSH scores in many years, thanks to the teachings of Mr. Lippert.
As a former basketball coach and social studies teacher, TJ Maines has also had great success in and out of the classroom in his many years at Cony High School. Teaching was not always what he wanted to do, but he was always drawn to geography. He shared a story about his expertise in world geography, and how he memorized all 140 countries on the map at the time. “I took pride in knowing social studies”. He demonstrated this pride while teaching his students, challenging them, and instilling in them a love for social studies. Maines said “There are different ways to get through the journey, but if we all have a common goal it makes it a lot easier.” When coaching, he always got his athletes on the same page, winning 102 games in his nine years of coaching the boys basketball team.
When thinking of this history teacher-coach parallel, one man immediately comes to mind, Shawn Totman. Dubbed Sir Totingham, Totman is a three-sport coach and a teacher of various social studies classes. Known for his energetic attitude, Totman transcends above most when it comes to pushing his athletes while still supporting them every step of the way. This t-shirt design extraordinaire’s enthusiasm for sports is matched only by his love for teaching. His ability to connect with students on both academic and personal levels creates a supportive atmosphere where individuals thrive. According to Mr. Totman's athletes and students, he is a very spirited man who loves being a part of a team. As a cross country, track, and wrestling coach, he doesn’t dwell on the losses, but lets progress unfold over time. Totman claims, “Winning is a byproduct of hard work and commitment.” While other coaches may find it difficult to connect with their athletes, he has worked out just how. One of Totman’s athletes, Anabelle Orth stated that he "always makes you feel like you belong, which is impressive for a track team so big." He has found much success, coaching both a 3 time state champion wrestler, and multiple champion javelin throwers. He recognizes that his job may not be the most lucrative, but he wakes up every day excited to come to work. Having taken a class of Totman’s before, I could tell he is interested in what he is teaching. He wants to be there, and that is so important when it comes to engaging teenagers in subjects such as government.
Cony High School is lucky to have all of these dedicated men, who not only fit into the male teacher coach stereotype but rather transcend it. Being successful in one aspect is not easy, it is much harder to be successful in both sports and teaching. Linking the social aspect that guys find appealing in sports, to the social aspect present in most social studies subjects can explain why some men are drawn to both. History teachers make historical coaches at Cony High School.