From a news release by the TGCA
The Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) has awarded Barbara Johnston, Kennedale High School teacher and cheer coach, the Cheerleading Coach of the Year for Class 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A schools in Texas. {{more:[read more]}}
This marks Coach Johnston?s tenth year of coaching. Her squad won fourth place out of 68 teams at the first ever UIL Spirit Competition in the 4A division.
Coach J, as she is known around the high school, believes that she is coaching her athletes beyond awards and Friday Night Games and has sent her athletes on to collegiate cheer programs at OSU, UT, UNT, Tarleton State, Tyler Junior College, Weatherford College and the list goes on. As her athletes graduate, she gives each one a Cheer Kennedale Alumna shirt so they remember where they came from and the legacy they have left at Kennedale High School.
In her ten years of coaching, her squads won the NCA National Championship title in 2010, followed by three top five finishes. In addition, at every summer camp they have attended, her squad has earned the top performance award.
She leads her team with a ?We before Me? attitude. They are expected to lead their school with this attitude by setting an example in their actions and deeds.
In addition to awards, college and attitude, she believes they also set an example on Friday nights. They are expected to show their respect by singing the National Anthem at every game with true honor, knowing there are always veterans in the crowed that have earned that respect. They are aware that too many in their generation don?t even know the words. Coach Johnston?s athletes not only know the words but what those words stand for and the privilege they have to sing them.They are also expected to know everything about basketball and football so they can lead the crowd in the most effective way. Coach Johnston?s husband actually leads a Football 101 camp each summer so they can learn the referee?s signals and the different plays that may be run at any given time.Coach Johnston is a teacher at Kennedale High School in the
CTE program (Career and Technogy Education) who is preparing students for possible
careers in the field of education.
