A Fans First Approach to Teaching: Lessons From Bananaland

Sunday, I went to a Savannah Bananas game and as promised, it delivered: high energy, nonstop fun, and an electric vibe.  I went about my Monday as usual until a student walked in wearing a Bananas jersey. We both lit up as we shared our experiences. 

I got to thinking about how the Savannah Bananas could connect to my role as a teacher.  Keep in mind, I’ve been a teacher for 32 years.  I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about education.  But this was different.  I couldn’t shake the thought.  I started wondering if there was something to learn from the Bananas that was important in education.  Could Fans First, Entertaining Always be translated to Learners First, Educating Always?

So after dinner Monday night, I purchased the e-book version of Fans First (there was no way, even with overnight delivery, that I was waiting any longer before exploring it!).  And for the next few hours, I read.  And I highlighted.  And I wondered some more.   My mind was racing.  I kept seeing parallels.  The Fans First philosophy seemed to align with the idea of Learners First.

Now, it is Tuesday and I’ve written 14 pages of notes and thoughts from the book and connections I was making to my role as an educator. (I doubt Jesse Cole envisioned that when he was writing it!)   How do we get the children in our classes to be fans of learning and our classrooms spaces of joy?  I won’t promise I have all the answers on that and there are clearly some systemic issues that I cannot solve within the confines of my classroom, but I feel I’ve gathered some insights that may make some small shifts which may in turn lead to bigger shifts. 

The Savannah Bananas transformed a traditional slow-paced baseball game into a energetic talent showcase full of surprise.  They changed the rules not only for baseball but how they do business.  They aim at creating a memorable experience filled with joy and belonging.  Teachers want the same thing.  We want children to experience powerful, unforgettable learning moments.  We want them to feel a sense of belonging and connection.  We want children to be excited about their day at school.  And let’s be real, sometimes they really aren’t.  We could go on and on about why that is and it still wouldn’t scratch the surface.  But what I do know is that I can change the game within my classroom.  I’m not changing my essential beliefs and expectations; those are the core of who I am (and who you are) as an educator, but I am willing to think differently about how I can engage my learners to give them opportunities to become fans of learning. 

Now, the Savannah Bananas put on quite show.  There’s singing, dancing, humor, camaraderie and even a form of baseball.  They’ve got their own band and quite a cast of characters including the players!  There’s choreographed routines, walk-up songs with full-on performances, and even umpires getting in on the act.  They want their audience to feel the joy and be a part of something amazing.  How might that translate to education?  I’m not saying we need to transform our classrooms into stages filled with song and dance (but hey, if that’s you, go for it!) but maybe there’s something deeper.  

What sets the Savannah Bananas apart from other entertainment is how they embrace the philosophy of Fans First.  They prioritize people and relationships.  It’s about the experience and the connection between players, performers and the audience.  Players talk to fans, involve them in the action, and make eye contact. It’s not distant or transactional; it feels personal, like you matter in that moment. The fun, laughter, nostalgia and surprise all  resonate on a human level.  They frequently assess their decisions under the criteria of would this be something that improves the fan experience?  
As teachers, it’s about connecting to our learners on a human level and through our content. Consider our practices through a student lens.  Is what we are doing motivating, inspiring or even interesting? Would we want to be learners in our classrooms?  Everyday won’t be a fireworks spectacular, but maybe we could bring sparklers.  (No, not really, fire codes, safety and all that!)   

But what if we made every decision with our learners in mind?  Many of us do that instinctively, but what if we were more intentional, deliberate in our practice?  What do they need, and how can we meet those needs with the resources we have?  I know we’ve been asked to do more and more with less and less.  But, more than anything, our learners need us.  Relationships are the foundation. Students are far more open to deep learning when they feel known, safe, and supported. Consistency, presence, and genuine interest in who they are make everything else possible.  Maybe the most powerful impact comes from simple things, a kind word, a supportive presence, and making sure our learners know we are fully invested in them.

In Bananaland, individuals choose to bring energy, creativity, and positivity into everything they do, turning even ordinary moments into meaningful experiences and making the people around them feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger.  Shouldn’t our learners feel the same way?  How do we make our settings reflect that?  It doesn’t have to be flashy or Pinterest-worthy.  It needs to be heartfelt and genuine.  Consider the atmosphere you want to create and how you want students to feel when they are there with you.

In any fandom, there is great enthusiasm.  “You wouldn’t believe what it’s like when…”  Go ahead and fill in the end of that for a sports team, musical group or anything else we might be passionate about.  They are powerful words, indicating something so surprising and beyond expectation.  It makes people want to go tell the story, over and over again.  How amazing would it be if we could create more “You wouldn’t believe…” type learning moments in our classrooms?  What do we need to do that?  We need our passion and interest in our learners to be front and center.  We need their trust and openness, which can only be gained with consistency, genuine care, and showing up for them day after day.    Education shouldn’t be something done to them but done with them.  And we should be learning and growing right alongside. 

How do we make these memorable experiences?  Learners remember what connects to their lives, emotions, or sense of purpose. Give them opportunities to solve real problems, make choices, and see why the learning matters beyond the classroom (and not just because it’s on the test or you need it for the next grade).  Focus on experience over delivery. When students do something with the content, it sticks. 

Like the Savannah Bananas, add elements of surprise or novelty.  Maybe it won’t be Russell Wilson or Tino Martinez (that was so cool!) coming to bat, but just something that breaks routine and sparks curiosity.  A simple twist can turn an ordinary lesson into a memorable one.  It could be a close up image or maybe an unusual object.  Be open to exploring ways to invite your learners further into the lesson. 

Like the Savannah Bananas, teachers are playing to win the long-term game.  The Bananas are sharing joy and building enthusiastic lifelong fans.  Certainly, we want to celebrate short-term progress, but educators also want to develop individuals who can thrive in the unpredictable times we live in, who can be resilient and persistent, who can imagine and dream.  What if we modeled a mindset where adversity is seen as opportunity? What if we made wonder common and innovation welcomed, moving away from this is the only way to do it?  Let’s take risks for the benefit of our learners.  And if it doesn’t work, we learn from it and try again.  Isn’t that what we want our learners to be able to do?  Shouldn’t we model that for them?  Isn’t that what our learners deserve from us? 

Unforgettable learning isn’t about doing more.  It is about doing things differently and making conscious choices that meet the needs of your learners.  It’s about designing moments that students can feel, connect with, and carry with them long after they leave your classroom. 
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I hope I’ve got you wondering…