Encouragement and Improvement

OBX Tennis

Welcome to Outer Banks (OBX) Tennis! My name is Mike Barber, an Air Force veteran and part-time tennis teaching professional. I help tennis players reach their full potential through focused training and encouragement.I fell in love with the sport of tennis during my high school years in Whitney Point, New York. In June 1995, I began teaching tennis full-time, helping many students in Broome County, New York and Berks County, Pennsylvania.Following the tragic events of 9/11, I felt compelled to join the U.S. Air Force, which ended my 10-year, full-time teaching career. However, during and after my nine years in the military, I have spent more than 20 years teaching tennis on a part-time basis.Credentials:
—More than 30 years of experience
—USTA Safe Play approved
—USTA Coaching Development Coach
—Professional Tennis Registry certified

Lessons

I am available to teach tennis to players of all ages and abilities on weekends, and limited weekday evenings, generally from mid-February through mid-December, in Manteo, North Carolina. Email [email protected], or text 252-305-0083, for current rates and to book a private tennis lesson.

Christian faith-based tennis lessons are also available—email or text for more details.

Core Values

In my personal and professional life, my core values are summed up in an easy to remember acronym: GRIP

  • Growth: Growth refers to the belief that one's abilities, intelligence, and talents can be developed and improved through dedication, effort, learning, and perseverance. Growing involves embracing life's challenges and continually learning from our wins and losses.

  • Respect: Respect means treating people with consideration, fairness, and politeness.

  • Integrity: Integrity often requires courage to do what is right, even when it's difficult, unpopular, or risky. This can mean standing up for one's beliefs or defending others when it's not easy. Do what is right, even when nobody is looking.

  • Poise: Poise refers to self-assuredness, calmness, and dignity under pressure. It's about maintaining one's composure and confidence, regardless of the circumstances. Having control over one's emotions and responses is a key aspect of poise.