Michelle Burger

I was one of the first members of the Langton Skating Club when the arena was established in 1971. I was 2 years of age when I began my skating career. I have been on skates for over 50 years practically as long as I have been walking. After my first year of skating my mom and coach decided to pair my brother Alan and I up to skate dance pairs. We skated and competed dance pairs for a number of years until Alan went on to continue with his hockey career. I also competed in singles and synchro (precision) teams throughout my skating career. I have accomplished my gold dance level and gold skills level. While coaching I continued skating and passed my 4, 5, 6 th figure tests. I reached my Junior Silver Free skate level before becoming a professional coach. In 1987, I began to coach at the canskate group level while finishing high school. During that time completed my level 1 coaching status in 1988 to be able to teach private lessons in the club. Shortly after my level 1, I completed my level 2 status and am currently a Provincial level professional coach. I have taught consistently in the Langton skating club since 1987 and have enjoyed every year molding skaters into successful athletes and guiding them down the path they decided to go with their skating careers. I have organized and taught our Canskate programs from the beginning until I got more involved with skaters at the Provincial competitive level in singles and synchro. I have had great success in my career with 2 synchro teams (Crystal Visions and Crystal Dimensions) bringing home many medals representing the Langton Skating Club for more than 10 years. As years went on and life got busier, I gave up the canskate program and the synchro coaching and continued with the private lessons. I have taught both recreational and competitive skaters for over 30 years and have helped many skaters achieve their gold level accomplishments! I am so proud of each and every one of my skaters throughout the years. As well as my own two daughters, Brooke and Haley as they both are triple gold level skaters and joined me on the wall of fame in Langton Arena!

Professional Accomplishments
At the age of 18, I began my coaching career. I attended post-secondary school and achieved an administrative diploma and worked full time at the Catholic School Board for 5 years before moving on to The Children’s Aid Society in accounting department for the next 5 years while continuing to teach skating in the evenings and on weekends. After having my daughters, and the relocation of my work I found in order to continue to work and skate I had to leave my job and began my own independent Book Keeping service in order to juggle both children, full time job and teach skating. In 2014, I was awarded the Western Ontario Section Club Recreational Coach of the Year. Currently, I continue to work full time as a book keeper as well as being involved in teaching full time with both Langton and Delhi Skating Clubs.

When not at the arena…
I enjoy golf on the off season as well as camping and boating. Most of all love spending time with my girls and their families as much as possible!

Favourite skaters
I would have to say my favourite skaters are all of my present and past students I have been able to instill the confidence, thrive, and accomplishments to take with them in their future endeavours.