Teacher, Coach, Counselor
For more than three decades, Geoff was a Special Education teacher, working primarily with individuals who were diagnosed with behavior disorders and/or learning disabilities. He helped his students with both their coursework and classroom behavior in a effort to promote and ensure academic success. Geoff consulted and teamed with the students' parents, teachers, and other educators as part of the collaborative process needed to help these special needs individuals reach their goals.
Geoff also has professional training as an Addictions Counselor and has worked with high school students (and their parents) who have alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) issues. In this capacity, Geoff helped create, implement and facilitate a highly successful early intervention program for Illinois School District #113 (Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools).
Another "career passion" for Geoff is tennis. He is an active member of both the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and the Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTCA). Geoff has taught tennis professionally since 1974, and was Head Coach of the Deerfield High School Girls Tennis Team for 33 years, from 1977-2010. Geoff was selected as the IHSTCA and USPTA Midwest Division High School Coach-Of-The-Year in 2005, after his team won the Illinois State Championship. Additionally, Geoff has been honored several times as the Pioneer Press Girls Coach-Of-The-Year. Geoff received what he considers the ultimate individual recognition in 2002 when his peers selected him for induction into the IHSTCA Hall-Of-Fame.
Whether working as a Special Education teacher, Addictions Counselor, or coach, Geoff has always stressed the importance of making good, ethical decisions. One of his goals would be to improve others' understanding of the relationship between these decisions and the rewards or consequences that may follow. By helping individuals improve their self-esteem and problem solving skills in order to gain greater insight into their lives, Geoff has taught his students "life lessons" to help them be successful, both immediately and in the future.
Today, Geoff continues to guide both adolescents and adults as they navigate the often perplexing entity called "life."
For more information on his speaking programs, contact Geoff at 847-691-2118 or at [email protected].