This week we changed up the format of our “Instructor of the Month” blog post and asked our instructor Joel S. in Weston, CT, about his experience with MyTennisLessons. Students have commended Joel for his teaching methods, of which one said: “Joel is an excellent teacher. He is organized, focused enthusiastic and encouraging. What more can you ask for?” Joel has always been a fantastic coach to MyTennisLessons students and could not be more deserving of this recognition as Instructor of the Month for October.
After a 30-year career creating TV commercials, I retired, looking forward to sitting on the couch, eating Oreos and watching old movies. Well that lasted 10 minutes before I got bored. Since I had a lifelong romance with tennis I volunteered to the USTA hoping to help with their local marketing. Instead, they immediately trained me to teach tennis. Of course I had doubts as to whether I could do it. But after my first lesson teaching as a certified instructor I was hooked and looking to take on more students.
But I quickly realized I had two problems. First I really wasn’t interested in starting up a business considering everything that entails and second, I had no idea where to find folks wanting lessons. I went online, keyed in “tennis lessons” and up popped MTL. We emailed and spoke on the phone a few times and I realized they could help me manage both of my needs. With their help, in a few days I was on a court teaching.
Over the past few years they’ve worked with me to create a teaching schedule that works for both of us. They’ve proven themselves more than fair, as well as prompt, in their payment procedures. And their online registration and scheduling system made it easy to manage my new career.
I often think about what continues to get me so excited about teaching. It certainly fulfills my love of the game and of meeting new people. And being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air has gotten me into the best shape I’ve been in in years. But what really does it for me is the simple pleasure of enabling kids and adults to succeed at something they really love. I truly don’t know who has a better time on the court, them or me.
I only wish I had business partners like MTL in my advertising career. I would have retired sooner.
