Meet Michael Walker of T.E.A.M.S. Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Walker.

Hi Michael, Thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
There is something to be said about growing up with an educator as your father. As a kid, I have many memories of my dad talking to, guiding, leading, and supporting his students and players. He was a coach, teacher, counselor, administrator, and, most importantly, a mentor. He used to bring me and my sister to his office, games, and even field trips, and I witnessed him and his gift of positively impacting others. I was subconsciously inspired by it all, leading to me following his footsteps. I started as a high school baseball coach for 5 seasons at my high school while working as a one-on-one paraprofessional for a student with Autism. I then moved to Arizona in 2005 and worked as a teacher for a small private school that served students with learning differences. I started their sports program by coaching each of the sports at each level year-round. I became the Head of Upper School and then the Head of School as an administrator for the last 13 years. Even as an administrator, I continued to coach High School sports, as athletics have always been my passion, and it was a great way to connect and mentor kids. During this time of teaching, coaching, and running the school, I have developed strong relationships with students and families. I was assisting them through adversity and new challenges throughout their journeys. That has always been the aspect of my job that I was the most passionate about, so I decided to start my program dedicated solely to helping teens, young adults, and their families. I transitioned from my school in June of 2023 and have been up and running as T.E.A.M.S. Coaching since the middle of July. The program’s premise is mentoring and coaching teens and young adults in Transition, providing Educational Support, Athletic Mindset, Motivation/goal setting, and Social situations. There is also a parent consultation component, monthly guest speakers for the mentees as a group, and monthly social events for them to build community. The program is starting quickly and gaining momentum each day, as these are much-needed services for young people.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Much preparation and work has been put in on the back end (market research, accumulating space and insurance, licensing, etc.). Still, it has been exciting knowing that all the work will lead to the opportunity to help others. Going from a secure job to a start-up can be scary, but you have to take that leap of faith and take some risks to achieve your goals ultimately. I am thankful for the opportunity to model that concept for my mentees to see and live through with me in these initial stages.

We’ve been impressed with T.E.A.M.S. Coaching, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
T.E.A.M.S. Coaching is a comprehensive personal development program for teens and young adults. The focus areas are transition skills, educational support, athletic mindset, motivation/goal setting, and social coaching. The approach for each mentee is dependent on their biggest area(s) of need, and a plan is created accordingly. The mentees meet with Coach Walker individually twice monthly to work through the designated focus areas. There is also a monthly parent consultation in which Coach Walker and parents share input and feedback about the mentee and the action steps needed for that month. T.E.A.M.S. Coaching hosts a monthly guest speaker to present relevant and impactful stories and information to inspire the mentees. There is also a monthly social event for the mentees to all get together and get the chance to build community with each other. The program is for a wide range of mentees, including those with mild learning differences (such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Functioning Autism, etc.) and those with neurotypical profiles seeking extra guidance and support that goes beyond what may be offered at school. The most appealing part of T.E.A.M.S. Coaching is the fact that there is such a wide range of areas of focus as well as several offerings all in one program. Mentees and families can customize a plan to cater to what they need and deliver it consistently and consistently.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
As much as I have talked to small and large groups (at a high volume) throughout my career as a coach/teacher/administrator, I am an introvert! I love quiet time and conversations with one or two people at a time. This is most likely one of the contributing factors to the career change!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://teamscoachingaz.com
• Instagram: @teamscoaching_az