About
I have had a life-long passion for the game of tennis and have been playing for about 30 years and coaching/instructing for over 10 years. I have two years' experience as an assistant coach for a middle school boys tennis team and four years' experience as head coach of both the boys and girls middle school tennis programs.
If my learners are beginners, I will teach them the life-long sport of tennis; if my learners are more advanced, I will prepare them to succeed at the next level. Although I have high expectations, I am patient and personable and I am able to differentiate my instructional techniques based on the ever-changing skills and needs of my students. As a coach/instructor for nearly 10 years, I have had both the pleasure and the opportunity to watch my former students go on to achieve at the next level, several of whom (singles and doubles) went on to achieve success at the conference, sectional, and state levels.
I enjoy sharing information and skills with anyone who wishes to learn, especially something as enjoyable and rewarding as the life-long sport of tennis. :)
Highlights
Payment methods
Specialties
Experience level
Student age(s)
Reviews
gerard B.
Kimberly C.
Marcus H.
Irene I.
Christine I.
Cecilia Di C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to evaluate where each learner is at on the court, skill and experience-wise, and build their skill-set from there. I also try to work at a pace that fits the skill level of each learner and I encourage them to step just outside their comfort zone and push themselves to try new things and acquire new skills, but at a realistic pace that works for them.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In addition to my 6 seasons as a middle school tennis coach and over 10 years total coaching/instructing, I have a M.S. in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology, which includes consulting, coaching, and motivation. I do my best to combine my knowledge of human behavior with my passion for tennis and coaching to customize lessons for each individual learner.
I also have approximately 20 years working with youth as a professional in the non-profit, youth services field.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rate is $50 per/hour from about May-October (as soon as the courts clear in the Spring and weather permitting thereafter), and I am open to scheduling nights or weekends as our calendars allow and I am open to giving a small discount for more than one lesson per week or ongoing lessons.
How did you get started teaching?
My former high school tennis coach and friend was coaching the middle school boys team and he needed an assistant coach because, as a teacher (now principal), his after school schedule was inconsistent.
I began as an unpaid, assistant coach and enjoyed coaching tennis so much that I volunteered the next year as well. When the head coach was promoted to principal, the middle school athletic director offered me the Head Coach position for the boy's team. After my first season as head coach, the athletic director asked me to coach the girl's team as well, and I coached both the boy's (spring) and girl's (fall) tennis teams for two years before I moved to the Twin Cities from Wisconsin.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have experience working with youth from K-12; I have coached youth from 5th-10th grade formally; and I have coached adults and families of all ages.
*I am willing to coach beginners from about 4th-grade up to adults of any age. As long as they are able to hold and swing a racquet they are ready to play!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would look for someone who:
*demonstrates patience and is able to work at the learner's pace
*knows what they are doing on the court and can communicate techniques, expectations, etc., in a way the learner understands.
*they make tennis fun!
After all, tennis is a game and we are all here to learn and have fun together.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should consider what they would like to accomplish, skill-wise, and communicate this to their coach, which helps to set realistic timelines and expectations.
For example; If a student is playing on an organized school tennis team for the first time next fall and they would like to develop a solid foundation of shots (forehand, backhand, serve) they can compete with, they should tell their coach so they can focus their time on the court setting and achieving these goals.