Have you ever wondered how to balance being a teacher and a coach all at the same time? Well that is exactly what our new Andale freshmen volleyball coach Paiton Bruce does! As well as coaching volleyball, Paiton is a science teacher at Garden Plain High School. She is currently in the process of interviewing for physical therapy school, which will start next August.
Paiton has helped coach on and off for the last 5 years in different roles. This is her first official coaching job, however! In high school, she coached a youth basketball team here in Andale. Throughout college, she fell in love with coaching weights in the summers, specifically for high school and college athletes!
Paiton decided to step into a coaching role because athletics have been a big part of her life and has helped shape her into the person she is today. She says movement is so important and that coaches have a unique position to help people be active. But most importantly, teach athletes how to train with a purpose and facilitate the necessary traits young adults need to learn to be successful in life. As a coach, your job is to foster positive relationships with your players so that they can be in a position to learn and become more successful. She says her previous coaches are people she considers friends and mentors due to the role they played in her life.
Paiton’s goals for the season are for her team to develop their skills so they feel confident going into the off-season before their sophomore year. Paiton said, “Ultimately, the girls all have fun and learn to love the game, as well as the work! That’s what’s most important, and if we can win some games- even better!”.
Paiton attended Kansas State University, where she graduated with two degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology. Paiton enjoys listening to music throughout the day to help stay focused. Whether she’s reading, working, exercising, or just trying to relax she is most likely listening to music! In her free time, you can find her reading or working out. Paiton says, “I think I go to my favorite bookstore in Wichita at least 3 times a month (it’s called Blush Bookstore for my fellow book nerds).” Other than those two things, She loves spending time with friends and family!
