Brenda Simpson

Reprinted with permission from Audrey Grant's Better Bridge Magazine

Brenda Simpson is a master teacher who understands how people, of any age, learn. Her field was physical education. “When I coached volleyball and tennis, I wanted to make sure the students had a chance to practice. I’d demonstrate how to do something, show the mechanics. The most effective follow up was when there was an opportunity for maximum participation. In volleyball, for example, we had one ball per two students.” She applies the same philosophy to teaching bridge. Her classes are activity based. She illustrates a point and the students have a chance to see it in action through playing carefully constructed hands. Brenda is in Spokane, Washington. “It’s a wonderful place to live: we’re in a valley, surrounded by mountains and lakes. Weather-wise, we enjoy the four seasons. It’s very much small city atmosphere.”

And if you live there, in addition to the breathtaking surroundings, there’s an active bridge program… due in large part to Brenda’s efforts! She runs games, teaches adults and children, works as the Education Liaison for her area, introduces her players to the American Contract Bridge League, and invites speakers to Spokane to give courses covering a wide range of bridge focused topics.

Brenda’s background is in education. She is a talented teacher. When she decided to change careers and focus on teaching bridge, she could have taken the attitude that she already knew how to teach and play bridge and needed no further training. Brenda took the opposite approach. She found every course she could on teaching and directing bridge: the Teacher Accreditation Course, the Better Bridge Teacher Accreditation Course, the Director’s Course. She joined the American Bridge Teachers’ Association and regularly attends their conventions.

If you’re a speaker at one of the annual meetings of the ABTA, you want to have Brenda in the front row …which is where she will probably be. She has the Albert Einstein approach: the important thing is not to stop questioning. When you listen to Brenda give a presentation, you know you’re in the company of a professional. Her enthusiasm is contagious.

She sets her goals and she achieves them. “I made up my mind that I wanted to work on cruises, so that’s what I worked toward.” On her most recent cruise, not only did she receive excellent comments from her bridge students and players, she was the top-ranked entertainer aboard. Not surprising!

For information on the American Bridge Teachers’ Association:
Pat Harrington • 239-437-4106
abta<at>juno.com • www.abtahome.com

Better Bridge Teacher Accreditation Course
Spokane Regional, Oct 10-16 2005
Brenda Simpson • 509-926-6973