When thinking of the role of teachers and coaches, many think the jobs are separate. However, some teachers at South are coaches after school hours end, Philip Ralston, varsity boys’ basketball Head Coach and English Teacher, said. 

Ralston explained that with practice every day and games every week, his basketball schedule begins during block four, his free period. 

“Most fourth blocks, I am preparing our practice plans [and] coordinating with my assistant coaches to get everything set for after school,” Ralston said. 

As a coach and a teacher Jorge Zamora, freshman boys’ Head Coach and Spanish Teacher, said he sees two different sides of his athletes: Athletics and Academics. 

“Sometimes you have some kids in the classroom that are your athlete,” Zamora said. “I love coaching [because] it is a way to see kids in a different environment.                                                     Additionally to seeing a different side of students in athletics, the fun environment around sports is what makes coaching worth the extra time, Natalie Kaminski, girls’ cross country Coach and Spanish Teacher, explained.

“[I have] an awesome group of girls,” Kaminski said. “When I go to practice, I feel like my head is cleared because [we have such] a positive group of people.” 

Eryk Krzyzak, girls’ junior varsity volleyball Head Coach and Spanish Teacher, said that although he loves coaching, it can take away from freetime. 

“[Coaching a sport takes] a lot of time away from personal 

responsibilities, family, and downtime,” Krzyzak said. 

Though teachers who are coaches have many responsibilities, Kryzak explained the fulfillment of seeing each athlete grow throughout the season. 

“Seeing each player grow [and] develop from the start of the season to the end [is awesome],” Krzyzak said. “It is fun to see how quickly and how much every individual player can grow in a season.”

Even though coaching is like a second job with the time spent preparing for games and practices, it is still rewarding to see athletes grow, Ralston noted. 

“The best part about being a teacher and a coach is seeing kids when they are young come into the school and then watch that maturation process occur [until] they graduate,” Ralston said.