In one of her recent books on the art of writing, Connie Weaver points out six characteristics of the 'smart' teacher. If I substitute 'teacher' with 'coach' or 'teacher-coach,' 'kid' with 'athlete,' and 'subject' with 'sport,' the following becomes my list of key components for a successful coaching experience:

Smart coaches

* know their athletes and the different ways they learn best

* know their sport

*know the 'best practices'--specifically, the best practices for accomplishing their goals

Smart coaches are also:

*risk-takers and experimenters

*innovators

*integrators within and across their sport

We believe these characteristics are what brought you to this website. Our goal is to keep you coming back.

Ken Jakalski