Second Graders at Brooklyn Excelsior Learn About the Fun of Boxing

Recently, a parent volunteer brought his unique talent to share with his son’s second-grade classmates at Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School. Tommie G. Eaddy, or Coach G, is the owner of Alchemist Boxing Fitness Club located in Brooklyn, New York. The gym offers both adult and youth boxing classes.
 
Coach G connected with the classroom teachers, Second-Grade Teacher Annabelle Scott and Special Education Teacher Bethlyn Ramcharran, volunteering to lead a clinic for his son Justice’s class. During the boxing lesson and clinic, the scholars were taught six fundamental boxing moves: stance, jab, cross, hook, slip, and roll.
 
The scholars were taught six fundamental boxing moves: stance, jab, cross, hook, slip, and roll.

“I've been boxing for more than 30 years,” Coach G said. “I started at the New Bed Stuy Boxing Center. As a kid I was always athletic and one of the trainers, who knew my mother, pulled me into the gym. I was also playing football and chose to invest more of my time in that direction. I dropped boxing for a while. Picked it back up about 20 years ago. Started training my own children about 14 years ago. Slowly, the community asked if I could train other children. And now I'm here with my own gym!”
 
With help from Justice who has been training with his father since he was four years old, Coach G gave the students an opportunity to practice each of the moves and work with boxing equipment including boxing gloves and ladders. The clinic ran for about an hour on a recent Thursday afternoon.

Coach G’s son Justice, left, helped his dad with the clinic in the classroom of Second-Grade Teacher Annabelle Scott and Special Education Teacher Bethlyn Ramcharran.
 
“Every tool I use in boxing has practical use, from heavy bags to gloves,” Coach G said. “The ladder is an apparatus used to help students learn coordination. There is a nearly infinite well of possible drills you could use to build this up. If you ask any boxing coach what they think the most important physical skill in boxing is, they would unwaveringly say footwork. There are tools that help with speed, power, defense, and a host of other attributes.”
 
For Scott and Ramcharran, they were eager to give their scholars this diverse experience.
 
“As educators one of our goals is to provide our scholars with an abundance of experiences that not only promote academics but can also promote social emotional growth: confidence, discipline, passion, determination, accountability, growth, achievement, and success,” Scott said. “This experience was designed to promote health and the importance of learning how we can take care of our bodies. Mr. Eaddy also discussed the importance of eating healthy along with physical fitness.
 
“This experience was designed to empower our scholars. The message was to promote you can achieve any goal you set and understand you have to work hard to achieve your goal. We also wanted our girls to understand that boxing or any physical sport or activity is universal.”

The scholars are practicing their stance and how to hold their hands. The ladder on the ground helps with positioning.

A total of 22 students participated and these were a few of their comments:

• “Look at me, I did it.”
• “I feel strong.”
• “Wow, Justice is really good.”
• “I want to practice more.”
• “I can't wait to try this again and tell my mom.”

“The majority of people I’ve come across that want to learn how to box have ulterior motives,” Coach G said. “Some want to be fit. Some want to build discipline. Some want to defend themselves. No matter what their purpose for coming, there is always one underlying thread: Confidence.

“When someone engages in a new skill there is usually some sort of apprehension. Once you can do boxing that apprehension leaves. There is a cognitive aspect of boxing that isn’t really acknowledged by the general public. The simple fact is less than 1% of the world would even dare to learn it, much less compete in it on any level. Ultimately, the participants in my programs have grown to be more productive and focused. I like to think it’s because of boxing.”

Coach G and Justice demonstrate correct movement and positioning to the scholars.

The scholars and the teachers enjoyed the whole experience. The teachers enjoyed seeing the wonderful representation of a father and son relationship that was loving and supportive.
 
“It was heartfelt for scholars to see the connection between Justice and his dad when they are training. Scholars were able to see the passion and drive both Mr. Eaddy and Justice exhibit in the work they do,” Ramcharran said. “Every scholar was eager to try because of the positive and encouraging atmosphere that was created.


Coach G’s son Justice, right, has trained with his dad since he was four years old.

“We understand that we have future performers, educators, activists, health care providers, law enforcers, scientists, bankers, travelers, politicians, athletes, etc. Therefore, it is our responsibility to provide our scholars with every opportunity and experience to support their dreams and aspirations. Most importantly, provide them with diverse experiences that may spark an interest, desire, or idea.
 
Thank you, Ms. Ramcharran, Ms. Scott, and Mr. Eaddy for inspiring our scholars’ dreams!
About Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School
Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Brooklyn, New York, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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