Ira P.

I am a USPTA tennis pro, deputy sheriff and adjunct professor, combining my three fields of expertise by sharing the game with at-risk youth. I am an Elite- USPTA Professional (1) in West Palm Beach, Fla. and have attended the USTA High Performance Class, numerous 10 and Under Tennis courses, and Cardio/TRX Tennis course. I also work as a deputy sheriff for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and have 21 years' experience in law enforcement.
I enjoy introducing inner-cities kids and families to tennis. I received the 2011 USPTA Growing Diversity Award. I am the first recipient of this award. I was nominated as the 2011-2012 USPTA District Professional of the Year.
I have been a speaker at various conferences, including USTPA National, USPTA Florida, and PAL National and USTA Florida conferences. I describe my expertise as recruiting kids from inner cities while working in law enforcement and correctional-facility tennis programs. I am currently doing a program called T3 with Dick Stockton that introduces tennis to the military families throughout the country at military facilities. I am a board member of the 501c3 non-profit organization The Blue Sky Foundation. I am also on the board of ADL Law Enforcement Committee. I became a teaching pro to add credibility to my tennis program. My greatest accomplishment outside the tennis industry is my education and work experience, which includes numerous certifications and specialty skills. I earned a bachelor's degree in organizational management from Palm Beach Atlantic University and state certifications as a law enforcement officer, firefighter and paramedic.

My teaching style adjusts to the type of student I'm instructing. Every student is unique is their own special way. I am a strong advocate of fitness, eating right and thinking outside of the box.