Story by Denise Miller (BBO: dellla88)
My first bridge lesson in 1986 was at Hendon College, where I was lucky enough to have the principal, Mr Jones, as my bridge tutor. I loved the game from lesson one and soon was able to go on from beginners to intermediate. My friends were so impressed with my enthusiasm that they asked me to teach them, so we sat at my kitchen table with Trevor my husband as dummy. “Are you balanced?” I asked David. “No,” he replied, “I am confused.”
After that experience I told my husband that I would like to teach bridge, but after only six months of lessons how could I do this. “Ask Mr Jones,” he replied. “I cannot do that,” I retorted. “I am far too nervous of his reaction.” “Then write him a letter,” replied Trevor.
Being a good and confident writer I immediately put pen to paper, not expecting a reply as after all I had not long ago been a beginner.
About three months later I got a telephone call from Sue, the secretary of Hendon College. “Would you like to take Mr Jones’s class next Tuesday?”
So extremely nervous, I arrived at my former bridge class, where Mr Jones was waiting for me, and he sat at the back to watch me perform. If any of you remember Sparky, who was a great pianist but froze when he had to play in front of an audience, well that was exactly what happened to me. I just wished there was a hole in the floor to swallow me up.
But adrenaline cut in and I put One No Trump on the blackboard and started to explain the benefits of it and the responses. Mr Jones was busy writing notes the whole time, which I dreaded to hear later.
At the end of the lesson he gave criticism where due but said that with confidence and experience I would make an excellent teacher and that I could take over his class in September. He also said he always knew I had talent for the game.
That was the beginning of my career as a bridge teacher at many Adult Education Centres, and I continued for about 20 years until unfortunately, due to price increases, I eventually finished. These price increases were due to the removal of senior citizens discounts on all classes. So I then went on to Peer Observation, which involves teachers observing each other’s practice, learning from one another, and giving constructive feedback on how to improve.
Well done Denise - I think enthusiastic and competent learners are frequently the best teachers.
Thank you so much for sharing!
All I can say is: congratulations Denise for having, so quickly learned, taught and continued to play bridge in such a short time!
I wanted to share my wonderful experience with BBO, inspired by Denise Miller's story. I've had a great journey with BBO, learning a lot about bridge by continuously engaging myself in playing games on the platform. I spend my free time playing on BBO and listening to stories of great bridge players - it's amazing! I love this game very much. Thanks, BBO, for creating a platform for bridge game lovers.
BBO id: maxygp"
I too have decided to teach the nuances of this game. What incented me was a bridge session that I subbed in because the leader said he was exhausted and needed a break. I started with 3 tables that first week. The next week we had 4 tables. I asked those 15 other folks what changes, if any, they would like added.
All 15 said the same thing. One woman had an unusual idea: if anyone had a
question on any aspect of the game, they could ask a question and get the answer on the spot. All 14 others agreed to try it.
Of course, the question could NOT be,"Do
you have the K of spades"?
This made a potential learning session on each hand for everyone. And people told me when we resumed play after the Senior Center was reopened due to the Coronavirus no longer posed a threat, how much they enjoyed the game so much more.
This idea is worth consideration by other groups.
Denise you were one of the teachers who helped me to learn the game. You were helping to run supervised play sessions at Wembley Bridge Club in North London. I'm guessing this was about 1992.
Nice to hear from you.
Hi Mark
Did you come to our Monday evening supervised?
Hear you are doing well at Pinner
Well done
Loved reading your experience beginning your teaching career, as a novice. Its stories like yours which allow us to believe this world is still a place worth living and continue to enjoy life.
Je suis pour le partage.
Bravo ! Le goût d'enseigner n'est pas si répandu !
Je suis étonnée que l'augmentation des prix ait été telle qu'il vous a fallu abandonner votre activité.
Je ne trouve pas que les dépenses pour le bridge sont excessives.
Excellent. Wonderful experience. I love playing bridge too but not such luck to teaching. Well done Denise.