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Why I love Coaching


I never wanted to be a figure skating coach.  It is just something that I started to do when I turned 16 to help pay for my ice time and my lessons.  And then I continued to do it to support myself when I went to college.  Now I am living in Alaska, and I still find myself coaching. Maybe I do like this coaching thing after all.

I think I like it best because I get to interact with so many people.  I teach Learn-to-Skate lessons at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and the kids that I have met and skated with have just about melted my heart.  I love them so much.  For example, at the end of the most recent session, one of my students ran up to me before class and handed me a picture she had colored.  On the bottom of the page she wrote, "I like you. Laura."  Seriously the cutest thing ever! 

Another wonderful moment that happened more than once occurred as I was walking out of the rink to my car.  As I walked across the parking lot I heard "Hi Coach Jenessa!"  As I turned my head towards the voice, I saw two of my skaters (ages 4 & 6) leaning out of their father's truck waving to me.  That put a big smile on my face for the rest of the night.

I want to be a positive influence in my skaters's lives. I want to help them achieve their goals.  I am not the perfect coach, but I am learning and improving my abilities every day.  And when my skaters say hi to me or tell me that they like me, I feel a small sense of achievement in making someone else happy that day.  I just hope that I can always reach out to those I meet and work with!! 
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Comments

  1. Wallace ClanNovember 30, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    You are a positive influence in all things. Not just coaching. You are pretty fantastic and I like you even if you don't coach me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hannah Marie WhippleNovember 30, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    Awwwwww I love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mike and Marisa ComptonNovember 30, 2012 at 6:39 PM

    Any time you have the chance to make someone smile, always take it. As you well know, smiles are contagious.

    ReplyDelete

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