Last week I enjoyed the privilege of Judging a High School Mock Trial tournament. I have been doing this for many years and it is a lot of fun. I don’t get paid for it (hence the volunteering part of this Blog post) and as a result I don’t get to bill for the time I’m volunteering and I’m fine with that.
What I’m not fine with is being attacked by a teacher coach, who is presumably being paid to be at the event, particularly when the teacher is upset about constructive criticism given to a team member who ran afoul of the tournament rules.
I’m sure that teacher is not going to read today’s Blog, but other teachers may and all I’m asking is that you appreciate the time that is being given up for the event to take place. You may not like the result. You may not like the feedback, but realize it’s a Mock Trial. There will be a winner and a loser. That is not the Judge’s fault.
No good deed goes unpunished. I’m thinking of adopting that as my new personal mantra.
Regardless, I’ll keep volunteering, because ultimately, it’s about sharing my passion and enthusiasm for the law with students and no cranky teacher is going to take that away.
Inga B. Andriessen JD