Juggling teaches the mind to use both the right and left sides of the brain, and almost 90 percent of Connor's students learn three ball juggling, with most moving on to more complex patterns and tricks.

Positive results go far beyond the mastery of juggling skill. Although students may never use juggling in their lives after school, Connor believes the learning experience has tremendous value by building confidence in egos which are often quick to give up. They become more patient and learn how to deal with frustration.

Connor has expanded his role as juggling teacher beyond the classroom and onto the athletic field. Besides his job at Strath Haven High, he is also the offensive line coach for nearby Swarthmore College's football team. It's one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges, so Connor faces a totally different group of students. Most scored above 1300 on the SAT.

But on the first day of football practice, Connor presents the same juggling lesson he taught special education classes. For many of his football players, juggling is a humbling drill and doesn't come easily. But after a short series of lessons, all nine of Connor's offensive linemen learned to juggle. And they must be practicing on their own, noted Connor, since their progress is "much too fast" for the 10 minutes a day spent on juggling during practice as an athletic test for coordination.

When comparing juggling experience with special education students and football players, Connor says, "In 15 years teaching special education I have met a lot of kids who were not afforded the luxury of many God-given talents. My message to talented young people, whoever they are, is 'Don't waste the gifts you have.'''

Connor isn't likely to waste his own gifts or his energy. He plans to continue teaching special education and coaching football. He and his wife, Carol, are raising three sons, two of whom juggle. (The third is only six but he's learning fast!) Connor is also working towards a Ph.D. at Widener University,

where he plans to do his thesis on the benefits juggling can bring to other aspects of learning, especially reading. He said, "I'd love to produce measurable scientific data to confirm my theories about juggling and its effects on learning. I don't know for sure yet if juggling can make you smarter, but I do know it can make you happier!"

Daniel Bahar is a high school senior and will enter Drexel University next fall. He is an enthusiastic juggler and co-founder of a successful juggling club at the local middle school. He has attended one IJA festival and looks forward to dozens more!