"I invented Training Ties® during my years as a PE and Special Education teacher in elementary schools around Boston. Teaching kids was my passion, but one thing I didn’t anticipate when I started was how much time I’d spend tying shoelaces. With a classroom full of little ones, especially in PE where they’re constantly moving, untied laces weren’t just inconvenient—they were a safety hazard. I knew I needed a solution, not only for my sanity but also to give my students more independence and to keep them safe.
Over the years, I experimented with different techniques and tools to teach shoe-tying. I tried every song, rhyme, and method you could think of, but none of them seemed to stick in a way that was quick and effective for a whole classroom. Plus, I was dealing with kids of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs. They needed something that was simple, clear, and easy to grasp. So, I started tinkering on my own, and that’s when the idea for Training Ties came to life.
I designed Training Ties as an on-shoe tool to help students learn the actual skill of tying their own shoes, rather than just skipping over it with Velcro or slip-ons. It works like training wheels for shoe-tying, giving kids the visual and tactile cues they need to succeed. What I love most is that Training Ties keep the laces tied throughout the day, so it reduces the interruptions for teachers and lets kids focus on learning and playing without tripping or constantly stopping to fix their laces.
When COVID hit and my position was cut, my wife encouraged me to bring Training Ties to the world. I took a leap, and now I’m here, turning my classroom invention into something that can help kids, teachers, and parents everywhere. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that this small tool, created out of necessity in my classroom, is making a difference by empowering kids to learn a valuable life skill and giving teachers some time back to do what they love—teach!"
{except from upcoming interview}