When I was a kid back in, NY, you rarely found me without roller skates on my feet. Yes, rollerskates! There were no inline skates way back then. I was either playing hockey with my brother or skating around the neighborhood with friends. OK, my coach wouldn't let me play basketball in them, but I did skate through the halls of my high school regularly after practice. As a teenager, roller disco was the thing to do. Even in college, I used my skates to get around the streets of DC. After college, I put the quad skates away for a time while I pursued a career in advertising.
In 1996, after I had "retired" from Advertising to start a family, I finally got my first pair of inline skates. I almost immediately realized what I wanted to do when I grew up - teach inline skating, so other people could find out how much fun it is! Thanks to Greg Keim of American Inline Skating, I quickly learned how to use those skates. More importantly, he taught me how to teach. He was a great role model and I am grateful to him for his willingness to share his (amazing) skills and talent.
I have been teaching inline skating in the Washington, DC area since 1997. I was originally certified to teach inline skating by the International Inline Skating Association (IISA). I am currently a member and certified by the Skate Instructors Association (SkateIA).
I joined the National Skate Patrol (NSP), DC chapter, several years ago. I have also skated with the Washington Area Road skaters (WAR). Along with other NSP members, I have helped promote skating safety during WAR street skates and skating clinics. I haven't been doing alot of skating with WAR for the past few years, but it's a great group and I encourage all my students to join them for some fun street skating around DC.
When I'm not teaching classes, I'm either working at Wheaton Sports Pavilion or having fun playing soccer, tennis, golf or some other fun sport. I started playing soccer at age 42, so I am living proof that it's never too late to start a new sport!
Teaching adults how to skate is one of my favorite things to do. Many of my students come to me with no experience at all with inline skating. I have taught adults of all ages how to skate (to date the oldest was in her 70's!). It is very gratifying to watch my students progress from shaky beginners to confident inline skaters. Some have gone on to become Skate Patrollers and even instructors themselves. Many have told me that I am very patient (so I'm starting to believe it must be true). I try to let students learn at their own pace. I have become pretty good at breaking complex skills down to their basic components. I help students build a strong foundation from which they can develop more complex skills.
I hope that you will want to join me on this wacky rolling ride. It's a lot of fun. Really!
