This is a scenario I have seen played out again and again, in my classrooms, on the athletic fields and on the racquetball courts.
An extremely talented individual appears. They are so gifted I cannot believe my good luck! I know they will be an athletic or student superstar!
At the same time a seemingly ordinary person appears. They have “average” or “below average” written all over them.
I naturally believe the first individual will be the super star. But their work habits are not very good. My natural inclination is to work harder with that talented person, explain to them how they can do better, and inspire them.
Meanwhile “average athlete” is working hard, studying and practicing….and working more and practicing. The competition or test day arrives. So-called “average” is kicking butt and taking names.
Superstar has performed poorly and has a ton of excuses and I am reminded of
an old saying in the teaching profession-“80% of our attention goes to 20% of our problem students.”
It should be the other way around!
You would think coaches and teachers would learn but in our defense most coaches and teachers do have a “save the person” motivation and we always try because once in awhile we do succeed.
I really wish I had a solid lesson here but I can be a fool for the 80-20 rule and I can try to reach the problem athlete. If I just taught racquetball, I could probably let those 20% go, but I coach!