Courtside Coaching: An Approved PE Vendor for Visions in Education Families

Last year, I ran into a friend at a local coffee shop. I think it was a Tuesday, and she was working with a family on schoolwork. Eventually, that family left, and another family came in to work with her; then, when they left, another family came in to work with her. After catching her during a break, I asked, “Where are all these families coming from?” She said, “I’m a teacher with Visions in Education!”

Quite literally, I had no clue what that meant, but she quickly explained that Visions in Education was a Charter School for Homeschool families, and clearly flexibility was the name of the game.

As we caught up, I mentioned how I’d recently started my Personal Training business, working with youth athletes. Immediately she said, “You know you can do that for us, right?”

Again, I did not know that, but I was immediately intrigued.

What’s funny is I had coached her husband years earlier as a Track and Field athlete. I don’t know how that’s super relevant for this article, but I’ve always found it fascinating that my former athlete kind of led me here.

Fast forward a few weeks and she sends me an application to be a Physical Education vendor for Visions. Around the same time, the City of Vacaville approached me to be a vendor as well, so I had already started conversations about getting the necessary insurance to do work like that.

After a few days and a background check, I was in! Officially a Visions in Education PE vendor.

Since then, I’ve worked with some amazing families, bringing an enjoyable PE experience to their families.

The kids are the best. One client told me, “Coach, you’re way nicer than my other PE coaches. They just yell at me and make me run laps.”

Low bar, but I’ll take it.

One day I wore an ice cream shirt while running with a client. He looked me up and down and said, “Isn’t that shirt an oxymoron?”

Apparently he didn’t think ice cream and running mixed. I disagree (I run for ice cream).

Another client loves telling me about Praying Mantis and loves to correct me when I call out different birds I see while we play basketball. At this point, I just make up bird names so I can learn the real ones because I know he knows them.

One time, a nearby group asked my client and me if we wanted to play basketball with them. My client said, “Sure!” We were paired up against each other, and at one point, I blocked his shot, which led to him saying, “Okay, coach, I guess you do know what you’re talking about!”

I do.

Like I said, the kids are amazing, but hearing from the parents reminds me how this is a job, and it’s a job I think I’m pretty good at.

“You’re a lifesaver!”

“My kid just loves working with you.”

“Can we work with you again next year? We have to get in before you fill up!”

These are just a few of the texts I’ve gotten since working with Visions in Education.

Whether 1-on-1 or in group settings, I create PE classes clients actually enjoy because that's why I do this. Too often, PE classes are designed for top-performing athletes, and I just don’t think that should be the default. I’ve worked with some world-class athletes, no doubt, but what about the kid who just wants to be active? Or what about the kid who doesn’t want to be active? Can I find a way to help them enjoy physical activity? Absolutely, I can.

Physical education is about movement, big and small. I take the educational component of PE seriously. It’s my job to educate my clients on the lifelong impacts of movement, bringing positivity to what we’re doing so they can keep moving well later in life.

I don’t yell. There’s no shame. I’m not going to manipulate my clients into a false sense of activity.

My athletic programs are built solely for you and your needs, so your kids grow to love physical activity.

I am an extension of you and your family, and I take that responsibility to heart, ensuring your kids feel comfortable during our sessions, even when the workouts push us outside our comfort zone (which they inevitably will—that’s where growth lives!).

Visions in Education has given me a really cool platform to work with families looking to bring flexibility to their educational experience. As a PE coach, I am determined to honor that commitment.

So whenever you’re ready to get started, I’m ready to work.

Welcome to Courtside Coaching, a PE vendor with Visions in Education!