Salary: $35,000
Age: 47
Years on the job: Eight
How he got started: While attending Vassar College in New York, Gordon joined the fencing club. By his senior year, fencing was a varsity sport, and he served as its captain. After college, he continued to fence and began coaching while working at various clerical and administrative jobs. He co-founded the Chesapeake Fencing Club in 1992. During this time, he worked for a nursing home, most recently as its transportation coordinator. In 2001, he found himself out of a job because of cuts at the facility. He decided to make fencing his full-time job.
Typical day: Gordon's day is split between managing the fencing club and teaching beginner and intermediate fencing classes. He estimates that for every class he runs, there's about one hour of administrative work that goes with it.
His day usually starts in the afternoon, when phone calls are made, e-mails are returned and paperwork is completed. Most classes are held evenings and weekends, with private lessons and an occasional group lesson being held during the day. He averages about two or three classes a day with eight to 16 students in each. Ages start as young as 7 and go up to adults. He has an assistant coach who helps with lessons, which are usually held in Homeland, where the fencing club rents space.
Gordon teaches group fencing lessons for the Lutherville-Timonium, Towson and Parkville recreation councils, home school groups, Stevenson University and some private schools. During the summer months, he teaches fencing for a summer camp in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Classes: The first 45 minutes of a lesson concentrate on footwork and blade work drills, with the remaining 30 minutes set aside for practice bouts. In an eight-week course, beginning students will practice with the foil by about the second week and begin fencing with a partner by the sixth week.
What he stresses to students: Good sportsmanship and safety.
Style counts: "It's a fight, but it's sort of a civilized fight. Your goal is not just to hit, but to hit where you have good balance, posture and proper form."
The good: "I enjoy seeing the kids progress."
The bad: With larger class sizes and younger students, it can be difficult to give everyone the same amount of instruction.
Injury: Within the past few weeks, Gordon injured his calf muscle, limiting his workouts and hands-on instruction. However, about four years ago he implemented a drill sequence that involves a number of fencing's important elements. Now that he's injured, the method has paid off, allowing more experienced students to lead beginning students through the routine.
Fundraisers: The fencing club puts on two events each year, a Fence-A-Thon in the fall and a Megabout in the spring. Funds are raised for the club and for the Sisters Academy of Baltimore, a girls middle school.
Philosophy: It's important to keep the classes relaxed and welcoming, Gordon said.
"We are very type B here," Gordon said. "The one thing we are type A about is safety."
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