Varsity Football Assistant Coach Nick Menneke called a unique play for the team this year: appreciation. He designed a program that offered student-athletes the opportunity to not only think about the MICDS faculty and staff who have supported them but also show gratitude for their efforts.
Every Monday, Coach Menneke sent a “Teacher of the Week” survey to players. He wanted to be sure teachers in all three divisions were recognized, so he carefully selected those students who had been in school through those grades. “I had them nominate a teacher who had made a difference in their life,” Menneke explained. He collaborated with Middle School Science Teacher and Maker & Robotics Coordinator Branson Lawrence to design a small token of appreciation: a wooden, laser-cut MICDS Rams logo with each teacher’s name. “After workouts on Monday morning, I recruited a couple of students who had been in that teacher’s class or advisory, and they presented the award to the winner.”
Middle School Science Teacher Callie Bambenek was “beyond surprised” by the thoughtful gift. “Coach Menneke sent me a text asking if I’d swing by the MAC on my way to a morning class,” she said. “Sure enough, there was the most incredible group of seniors that presented me with this award. Happy tears filled my eyes and I’m sure my face went shades of red. I told those gentlemen to be seen by them was an honor, and it made my month. I proudly then showed my first-period class of sixth graders that they deemed was ‘pretty cool,’ too. I love how much our football team honors building culture and positivity within their own sports team as well as their learning community. Such a sweet moment.”
Lower School Teacher and Alumni Parent Jenn Gillis was touched. “The football program holds a very special place in my heart—all three of the boys went through the program (and Jack back in the day!) and gained way more than football skills. Charlie even made incredible videos for the team after he graduated, and those are still some of our favorite things to watch. After Charlie’s accident, the football team did absolutely everything they could to keep us connected, and we felt embraced by the football family in a very special way, and that continues today. We get to as many games as we can and are so proud of the boys and the program—it was a wonderful surprise to have the ‘big’ boys march into my first-grade room and let me know that they feel as connected to me and what I have done for them, as I feel to the football program!”
Menneke saw how much these awards meant to his colleagues, and he took it a step further. He gathered MICDS letterhead and envelopes and encouraged players to write letters to teachers who have made a huge impact on their lives. The teachers were also personally invited to attend that week’s game. Menneke then delivered the letters to teachers’ school mailboxes. “I had a lot of these teachers write back and say it’s food for the soul and described how this has made their day/week. It was super positive feedback,” he said. Upper School English Teacher Tex Tourais received a note. He said, “It was a nice, little, old-school touch: never underestimate the power of a letter written by one’s own hand.”
As the team began competing in the post-season, the gratitude kicked into a new gear. Lawrence laser-cut small footballs that said, “MICDS Football is thankful for you.” The team, including coaches, distributed over 50 footballs to faculty and staff on the Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving.
Upper School World Languages Teacher Robin Begley wasn’t aware of the program until she received a tiny, wooden football. “It was very thoughtful, of course,” she said. “I was very touched. Moments like that give you pause in realizing that maybe something you said and/or did made a difference or impacted someone in a positive way.”
Coach Menneke’s thoughtful program touched the lives of both students and teachers. “I’m just trying to build a positive community here at MICDS,” he said. We think he’s doing a fantastic job. Well done, Rams Football!