After years of teaching business and economics, Steve Sand is moving beyond the classroom to take the role of head pickleball pro at the Snowmass Club.
Sand has been a teacher at AHS for over 10 years. Additionally, he has been a tennis coach and this year took on the position of the FBLA advisor. His dedication to teaching students in and out of the classroom has made a lasting impact on the AHS community. Though this was an extremely hard decision for Sand to make, he cherishes all the connections and memories he has made during his time at AHS.
“I didn’t take this decision lightly, but I’m just ready for a new adventure. I set myself up just through saving so I can follow my passion, and I can take a little bit of a risk,” Sand said. “I’m going to miss the interactions with the students, the connections with the staff, but I hope to not be a stranger.”
On top of being the head pickleball pro, Sand also hopes to substitute for AHS CTE classes during the winter seasons.
While this new position marks a significant change in career, Sand’s extensive background in tennis and pickleball gives him a profound foundation in the sport. Sand got into pickleball about six years ago, but has been playing tennis for his whole life. He enjoys how pickleball helps foster relationships.
“It’s easy to get in, start playing, and have fun. Different ages can play together, different skill levels, and just have a blast. Pickleball is easy to start to play, but it’s very hard to master,” Sand said. “That’s what I get to help people do, get better and better and improve.”
Sand will be running the pickleball programming while also teaching a little bit of padel and tennis, and encourages students and staff who are members of the Snowmass Club to come say hi, and maybe join a clinic.
Though the physical setting Sand will be teaching at is changing from the classroom to the courts, Sand is taking on a new way of teaching and is looking forward to continuing to do what he loves.
“I’m a teacher at heart, but now I’ll be teaching a different demographic,” Sand said.
