ABTA Teacher Of The Year

Master Point Press starting this year, will be sponsoring the American Bridge Association (ABTA) Teacher Of The Year.   The idea was to honor a grass roots teacher.  These are the people who are really important to the game.  We all knew that there were some wonderful teachers out there.  Barbara Seagram has been getting the responses but every so often a call winds its way to our offices and I end up talking to a person who loves their bridge teacher.

A few days ago I spent some time on the phone with such a man and then yesterday Thomas W Louchbaum was good enough to copy me on the email he wrote Barbara nominating his favorite teacher, Bruno Wolff Jr.

Here is some of what he had to say:

He taught me the game of bridge in a non-formal environment nearly 40 years ago. Even today I continue to gain knowledge; respect, appreciation and love for the game due to his continuing mentoring and friendship. I would say Bruno has an almost obsessive love for the game and interest in its promotion. He shares that passion with his friends and bridge students.

I have played bridge with Bruno at lunch time at work in person for many years. When we could no longer meet for lunch in person due to logistics, we learned to play on line during the noon hour. We also played at least monthly in the evenings either as partner or opponent now for those 40 years. Although some of the games I played with Bruno were organized and sanctioned ABCL games, the vast majority of them have been unsanctioned and organized entirely by Bruno. Those have not been for the attainment of master points but were basically social in nature. They were played in work conference rooms after work hours, at various friends’ homes and lately, because of the increased number of players interested in playing games so arranged by Bruno, at a Seniors Club facility. Many of the players at these games have been those that have been formally taught by Bruno. Almost all of them have been touched by his teaching, mentoring or friendship. I believe that virtually none of these games would have been held without Bruno doing the legwork by contacting people, organizing game locations, structuring and directing the games and doing all of the scoring. He has handled all of the logistics for these games and, other than the verbal thanks he receives form doing so, he has never to my knowledge accepted any compensation for these efforts.

I looked up Bruno Wolff on the web to learn more.  The first thing I found was a free ebook on Bruno’s Big Club system  In the foreword to the book I found out the Bruno was assistant dean emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  I saw he contributed a top to the ACBL Teacher’s Hand Book

He encourages teachers to be flexible. He starts his classes by questioning the students to find out what each group wants and needs. Then he makes adjustments to his lesson plans to fit their goals and expectations. The best way to succeed is to give your students what they want and expect.

Wow that sounds like a teacher I could like.  I find that Bruno is a member of the Pilot Club who has an ongoing project to help feed the hungry.

There’s a lot more but this blog isn’t really just about Bruno Wolff.  It is about the truly special bridge teacher in our communities and the students that really appreciate them.  I have no idea how the ABTA will be able to select a the award winner but I know that Bruno Wolff and those like him are already winners to the people in their community.

For more about this important award visit Master Point Press announces ABTA teacher of the year. 

To nominate someone, students are encouraged to e-mail one or two paragraphs to Seagram (bseagram@ca.inter.net) explaining why their teacher deserves consideration. Nominees must have at least five years’ teaching experience, and teach at least 75 hours a year. Nominations will close on April 1, 2010.

Let’s show the bridge teachers how much we really do appreciate them.  I will be on hand when the Ray presents the award on behalf of Master Point Press and the ABTA to the winning teacher at the ABTA Convention in July.  I know I will feel great pride to watching.