Our Story
LEARNING THE GAME
STUDENTS INSTIGATED THE CURRICULUM
STUDENTS INSTIGATED THE CURRICULUM
- I'm lead off in the family lineup. My brothers arrived 5th and 6th in the order, so I accompanied my dad and male cousin to the ballpark.
- My petite eight-year-old self learned the game by observing on the field action, and listening to commentary of seasoned New York sports fans, seated near us in the field level boxes.
- They argued plays,
- I'm lead off in the family lineup. My brothers arrived 5th and 6th in the order, so I accompanied my dad and male cousin to the ballpark.
- My petite eight-year-old self learned the game by observing on the field action, and listening to commentary of seasoned New York sports fans, seated near us in the field level boxes.
- They argued plays, calls, pitching, fielding, weather, opposing players, and management decisions.
- They spoke of the game's legends and baseball history. I took it all in, never imagining, that their schooling would serve my future career.
STUDENTS INSTIGATED THE CURRICULUM
STUDENTS INSTIGATED THE CURRICULUM
STUDENTS INSTIGATED THE CURRICULUM
- I taught at an all boy's school in Greenwich,CT for 12 years. During my first year, while teaching a literacy lesson at the board, my 2nd grade student initiated a baseball card trade. From the corner of my eye I observed the in-progress transaction: mint future HOFer, Reggie Jackson for Dodger All-Star, Ron Cey.
- ”Give him back the card,
- I taught at an all boy's school in Greenwich,CT for 12 years. During my first year, while teaching a literacy lesson at the board, my 2nd grade student initiated a baseball card trade. From the corner of my eye I observed the in-progress transaction: mint future HOFer, Reggie Jackson for Dodger All-Star, Ron Cey.
- ”Give him back the card, It's not a fair trade," I stated, then offered a detailed rationale with player stats.
- But, eight-year-old Michael argued,"I almost had the card. What did you have to put your two cents in for? And besides, You're a girl what do you know about baseball?" Silence permeated the room. Stunned by the insult, I eventually managed a response,"You guys will see what I know about baseball - tomorrow."
- On the drive home I considered why they assumed that girls/women didn't know sports. More importantly, I reflected on how and what I was pitching – I mean, teaching.
- The next day, every required curriculum skill, subject, standard, and concept was taught through baseball. The materials developed for that class, were a hit, boosted test scores, concept understanding, and content retention and were adapted to other sports.
- (photo: Team Shirt Bulletin Board &Trip to Shea Stadium)
TEACHING TEACHERS
STUDENTS INSTIGATED THE CURRICULUM
TEACHING TEACHERS
- Len Coleman former National League President, MLB Director of Marketing, and Executive Director Emeritus of the Jackie Robinson Foundation posed a question - still key to baseball's fan development today: "How do we reach the kids?" My immediate response, "You reach the kids through their teachers."
- Len arranged for The Phillies
- Len Coleman former National League President, MLB Director of Marketing, and Executive Director Emeritus of the Jackie Robinson Foundation posed a question - still key to baseball's fan development today: "How do we reach the kids?" My immediate response, "You reach the kids through their teachers."
- Len arranged for The Phillies (NL) and Orioles (AL) fan and community development personnel to meet us in NY, worked out logistics, and established my consulting fee then, of $2600 per seminar paid by MLB.
- Phillies' seminar, scheduled for mid-March in the visiting clubhouse, attracted over 100 teachers. I offered specific content activities (Idioms at the Ballpark/Uniform # Math) and shared, "We don’t pick our players. But teachers/coaches transform rosters into a team."
- Attendees urged The Phillies to bestow an official team hat on me - the teach with baseball educator - and they did. I stood on the pitcher's mound wearing the hat, and I was beaming!
- Sr. Trudy, principal of Christ the King School, shared a compliment on the way out, "Yes,You really are a teacher," and hosted the Powerhitter seminar the following year.(photo above at her school attended by 150 teachers).
- Barb was hired by Major League Baseball to present seminars for teachers in American and National League Stadiums. The teachers wanted more. She created curriculum materials (enough for entire classes), that were mailed to every teacher who signed the attendance roster. Teachers received CEU's (continuing education units) for the professional development seminar.
- Sponsors are eager to support this sports-themed education outreach. They remember an inspiring teacher or coach who believed in them… even when they didn’t believe in themselves.
- BIC, RYDER, ADVANTA, PEMCO, ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, SODEXO/MARRIOTT and GENERAL ELECTRIC supported the seminar and/or student materials.
Reach YouR PlAyers - TEaCH WITH POwErhItTEr
Our Expertise
Our Philosophy
Our Expertise
- Years ago, an audience member walked by the MLB team host, and asked me, "Are you a REAL teacher?" I replied,'Would I be here if I wasn't?" She remarked, "Well, you never know with the ballclubs."
- I am a real teacher with decades of experience. That story illustrates why expertise matters. Audiences expect players, performers, and presente
- Years ago, an audience member walked by the MLB team host, and asked me, "Are you a REAL teacher?" I replied,'Would I be here if I wasn't?" She remarked, "Well, you never know with the ballclubs."
- I am a real teacher with decades of experience. That story illustrates why expertise matters. Audiences expect players, performers, and presenters to provide value for their time and attention.
- Every day is a new Game Day
Tips from the Coach:
100 strategies for managing your team.
Our Seminars
Our Philosophy
Our Expertise
- There's an energy when teachers come together at your ballpark stadium, or venue.
- Powerhitter® Seminars cover your academic bases during a comprehensive, 3hr seminar that engages participants, offers a cross-grade level curriculum package, with take-home projects and activities that's INTELLECTUALLY RICH, AND FUN.
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
At www.powerhitter.com. www.sportsballkids.com, we believe in the
4 ground rules:
Work towards your personal best,
Focus on Today
Be a dependable Teammate
Take A Risk
TEACHERS/MANAGERS don't pick their players.
We develop the roster into a team.
Photo Gallery
Phoenix 6th Graders discuss Team Geography/Weather
Associate Education Professor in my office
Teaching 150 Philadelphia area Teachers hosted by local Catholic School 1995.
Presenter at MLB AllStar Game
Presenter of Researcher at ECER International Conference
Powerhitter® Game Day Movement, Math, Literacy @ MLB All Star Fan Fest
With Teacher, Principal, and Phillies' Rob Holiday visiting 4th grade classroom
With Sharon Robinson at MLB All Star Fan Fest
What's Your Classroom Managing Style? are you a power over, under, two, or with?160 teachers at The Native American Grant Schools Association Symposium reflected on their coaching style and situations that called from changing it up!