I wanted to tell you a little bit about myself and why I started this site. SEE MY UPDATES TO THIS SECTION BELOW!
I learned how to play bridge at the age of 9, while watching my mother teach bridge to adults and filling in when someone didn't come to the bridge class. I've grown to love the game, playing it frequently. I played mostly party bridge, until I started playing duplicate bridge in 2002. I love it all!
I felt like it was time to pass on the love of this
game to the next generation. In November 2001 I became an ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) Accredited
Teacher. I started teaching bridge to 4th through 6th graders in the
Lee's Summit School District Gifted and Talented Program (ASPIRE). I've been doing that since January of 2002. Several of my students have placed in the ACBL Instant Matchpoint Competition held in the spring through 2006. Since that competition was discontinued, we have started having our own student sectional tournament in conjunction with the Kansas City Unit 131 Spring Sectional. Trophies and scholarship money are available to the winners. Check out the News link. Interested in getting bridge
classes into your school -during classes or after-school programs? If
you are in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, I'd be glad to help if we can
work out a convenient schedule, call 237-0519 or e-mail me. ACBL provides the
textbooks and a t-shirt to each child as well as paying me a small stipend,
so the class is free
to the school. If you are outside my area contact ACBL to see if they can find someone close to you to provide the service.
As of September, 2005 I am also an ACBL Club Director! I currently direct my own game on Friday mornings in Lee's Summit and direct the occasional game at the W-S Duplicate Club in Lee's Summit on Friday nights. I also direct games on cruise ships when I can.
As of August, 2008 I am a Bronze Life Master!
As of July, 2009 I am an American Bridge Teachers Association (ABTA) Master Teacher. I am also the Recording Secretary for the ABTA.
What I've found is not only young people who want
to play this game of Bridge but also adults who either want to learn how to
play or want to get better. I have begun offering classes to meet those
needs as well. For my group classes, outside of the school system, I teach from the Audrey Grant Better Bridge Series.
Check out upcoming
classes offered and details as to cost and how to
sign up.
I also love competing in this game. I have helped represent District 15 of the ACBL in the Grand National Team event for 3 consecutive years. 2007 and 2008 as Flight C, finishing 5th at the end of the 3rd day of the contest in 2007 and not making it into the round of 16 for the second day of play in 2008. In 2009 I was on the team for my first time as a Flight B player. We finished 9th, losing at the end of the 2nd day of the contest. I have also been the top representative for District 15 Flight C along with my partner in the North American Pair event in the spring of 2008. We finished in 17th place out of 64 pairs that started in that event.
I also think it is important to give back to the organization that has contributed to my life over the past few years. I have been a member of the Unit 131 Board of Directors since 2006, working as the Education Chair and "The Declarer" editor. I'm also a member of ACBL's National Charity Committee.
