Post-Season Stories: Jeremiah
Coach Janet Eaker is one of ACE's Site Coordinators and the physical education teacher for Washington Elementary. Coach Eaker makes sure that all children in the school have access to tennis, whether it's through her gym classes or ACE. In addition to her love for Novak Djokovic, her love for children and their well-being is unmatched! Here is her Post-Season Story:
I wrote in a previous blog about our oldest ACE-er here at Washington School, Jeremiah. That post included another ACE-er, Jessica. I wanted to shout out to them because of their assistance and dedication to The ACE Project over the years. However, this year Jeremiah deserves his own blog post.
I can’t believe I’ve known Jeremiah and been his teacher for 8 years. This last year is very special to me and I hope to him as well. Every tennis camp day at his dismissal, which is earlier than mine, he comes to my gym where we have had some amazing conversations. I feel privileged that he trusts me to share with me his hopes, dreams, frustrations, disappointments and successes. As I dismiss my last class, he gets my keys, gets out and sets up all necessary equipment for that day’s session. He greets all the Washington ACE-ers by name which makes our tennis players feel very special. He is always ready to conduct warm-ups and then begin the day’s activities.
He has grown into the most enthusiastic coach and mentor for our younger players. I particularly enjoy watching him with our brand new players. He shows incredible patience with them as they learn the basics. He is always ready to step in and show them the correct ways to play. He doesn’t ignore the older more experienced players. He is always ready to share his knowledge and techniques with them to improve their skills.
This year The ACE Project provided the opportunity for 5 of our ACE-ers to participate through a scholarship program in year-long tennis coaching/lessons at the XS Tennis Village in Chicago. Jeremiah is a recipient of one of the scholarships. I’m so happy for Jeremiah to have this opportunity to improve his skills. He’s being challenged by more experienced players and from what I’m hearing, he’s rising to the challenge. This year round opportunity will help him raise the level of his game. I can’t wait for our spring session to see the new skills and drills and games he will be able to share with our young tennis players. Jeremiah is the best example of what The Ace Project has done for Washington School and the Riverdale community. I truly hope that even after graduation, Jeremiah continues to be part of our ACE community here at Washington.