One of my favorite past-times is challenging ideas. Many people have debunked the phrase “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” However, I am starting to see it pop up around being a book coach. When I first looked into getting certified to be a book coach, I found an opinion article. It claimed that book coaches are just scammers. According to the article, we try to make money through other people’s writing because we can’t sell our own. OUCH.

As a teacher, my skills and capabilities are frequently scrutinized. Now, as someone pursuing a career in coaching, this scrutiny continues. I’ve even had students and parents imply, or even ask directly, “Why are you a teacher, if English is so important to success?” Uh, because I love to teach… duh. And the same goes for being a writing coach: I love to help writers succeed.

Honestly, I see my own journey as a writer completely separate from my teaching/coaching. Writing is something I do in tandem with my teaching and coaching. It’s a passion I pursue when I have the time. More importantly, I often find more joy in seeing others succeed than myself. I love being a guide, mentor, cheerleader, and servant leader to others.

Besides, being super successful in a field does not guarantee someone will make a strong teacher or coach. I’ve found the opposite to be more true. People who “do” think their way is the end-all-be-all. They talk at people rather than with them. They don’t know how to guide and mentor. People who seek their help get shoved into a box that usually doesn’t fit their personality, talents, or skill level.

So, I’ve never been published with a Big Five publishing house. That doesn’t mean I can’t help another writer get there. In fact, I’ve been so focused on teaching and becoming a coach, I haven’t even attempted to get published traditionally. My time has been spent learning the craft and how to teach it, getting a Masters in Education and a book coach certification, and working hard at being the best high school English teacher I can be for my students.

Teaching and coaching are crafts, just like writing. Really, if you think you can teach just because you can “do,” you’ll be in for a rude awakening. You’ll probably hurt your student/client’s chance for success, too. The hindrance of knowledge, or having blind spots in a beginner’s perspective, is one of the biggest challenge teachers/coaches have to overcome. This is why students who struggled a lot in school often make the best teachers. They’ve been there; they get it.

At the end of the day, being a teacher and a coach is not about what I’ve accomplished. Rather, it is about what I can help YOU accomplish. So if this is a stereotype that has gotten in the way of you trusting a teacher or a coach—or trusting in your own capabilities in these fields—I urge you to challenge that idea. Because, if you ask me, it’s more sad to see those who can do but not teach. They’re missing out on the chance to help others shine—and, to me, there’s no greater success than that.