Although I am still an undergraduate student and do not have any formal training or experience in the traditional teaching setting, I have been a ringette coach for 8 years. As a head coach for the Greater Victoria Ringette Association, I hold CSI certification, First Aid certification, as well as a multitude of other courses and certifications.

In my role as a youth coach, I believe that social learning theory best supports my beliefs about teaching. Social learning theory suggests that new skills can be taught through the observation and imitation of others.

The way that I have found the most success in coaching and teaching new skills or plays is to have the athletes watch me draw on a whiteboard as I explain the drill and/or skill to them. After this, I then demonstrate the skill. To verify their understanding, I will then ask them if demonstration one or demonstration two was better, and I ask them to explain to me why that is. I then will guide the first athlete through the drill, before watching the rest complete the drill. This practice is supported by social learning theory, which suggests that youth can learn new skills through observation and imitation.