Körtesi Sándor | An exceptional educator | BDVL Podcast#3
My conversation with Sándor Körtesi was just like taking a breath of fresh air. It became clear to me once again that when someone finds their calling in any walk of life and has the opportunity to practice it, they develop a completely different relationship with what others simply call work.
As coaches, we are also a bit like educators. That is why it was particularly interesting for me to listen to the decades of experience, insights, and way of thinking of an exceptional educator. During our conversation, we touched on numerous topics that directly or indirectly link sport, upbringing, and children's development.
We talked about how and what today's kids use technology for. About the psychological effects bullying can have, where it can manifest, and how early it can start. Sándor shed light on the hierarchy that forms within peer groups, as well as how and when it is worth involving parents in their child's life and school environment. We discussed transgenerational "bricks," the role of the environment, and everything a child carries with them in the "backpack" brought from home. We also talked about how we can create an environment where a child can truly be themselves.
Burnout was a particularly important topic: how it can be prevented, recognized, and handled once it appears—for educators and coaches alike. I also learned how the "unofficial" teacher recruitment operates—what I like to call the PDF, or "Pedagogue Draft." We discussed how a hobby can become a tool for immersion and slowing down, as well as the insight—perhaps especially vital in sports—that competing isn't for everyone. We touched on why sports are essential for cognitive development, what innovations Sándor is introducing in his own school, and finally, we get an answer to: *What is TBT?*
It will be worth tuning in, as once again we cover anything but ordinary topics. The goal of the BDVL Podcast is to showcase the mindset of people who, through their forward-thinking vision and work, create or have created lasting value—so that their stories, experiences, and insights remain accessible to anyone curious about them.
I would like to thank Áron Dóczy for his help in producing this episode, Róbert Sáji for his professional advice, and Balázs Lukács for providing his photographs.