The first time I tried pushing on a skateboard in grade school, the board zipped out from under me and I fell hard straight onto my hip. I decided to put it away for a while and didn’t get back on until about 8th grade when I met an older skate mentor who patiently helped me learn some of the basics until my confidence and love for skating outweighed my fear of falling down. I have been skateboarding now for over 20 years and have a lot of love for both skateboarding and teaching. I currently live in Bethlehem, PA, and work part-time at a forest preschool on weekday mornings. I have previously volunteered as a Big Brother and spent lots of time skateboarding with my “Little Brother” and other children in the neighborhood and teaching them tricks. I also have over a decade of experience in other roles as a mentor, classroom and afterschool teacher, music educator, therapist, and caregiver for children and teens ranging from preschool through high school students. At my age (35), I am not pushing myself to extremes with doing tricks downstairs or on very high transitions, but still have a lot to offer beginner and early intermediate skateboarders, especially looking for someone with extensive teaching experience.