I realize this is an old thread and that I'm a little late to the game, but I'm sitting home on a snow day trawling the forums b/c none of the mountains close by are open yet. Boo.
I am an instructor at Mount Southington (425 feet of vertical, oh yeah!) where I mostly co-supervise the Children's program on weekends and do some instructor training. I am PSIA certified Level II, going for III this spring. I also have a Children's Specialist 1 and an AASI Level I because for a while there I really thought I was a snowboarder.
I am a teacher in real life as well as on the slopes. I feel lucky to have found a place where I can combine my two passions - skiing and teaching kids
Nothing makes me happier than being on the snow - I can relate to "perma-grin's" username and kinda wish I thought of it first, lol.
I love working with special populations of children and adults (autistic children will always have a place in my heart), and first-timers of all ages. There's nothing as satisfying as seeing a "never-ever" fall in love with the sport! I will never understand why some experienced instructors are reluctant to teach first-timers or kids after a while, but whatever. More for me.
Areas of personal expertise include bump/tree skiing, balance, rhythm, flow, finesse and the mind/body/soul/ski connection. I view the mountain as a dance partner, not something to be conquered. Skiing is where I feel the most connected, where I find peace, and where I find joy. My ultimate goal as an instructor is to help others tap into those things as well. Now if I could only get out there and do it!