This year, Stacy Beckley returned from retirement to Fair Grove High School as a teacher of multiple physical education, health, and weights classes, and the coach of the C volleyball team.
Coach Beckley teaches two hours of freshmen health and physical education, three hours of middle school physical education and one hour of advanced high school girl’s weights class with Coach Voorhis.
“One thing that has turned into a saying on the team is ‘big dogs like to eat’. This is what our team has been saying because we are undefeated and doing really well right now,” Brenna Boatwright (10), a Fair Grove volleyball player, explains, “Beckley loves this saying and we have all started calling Coach Beckley “Big Dog Beckley” ever since.”
“Coach Beckley taught for thirty years as a health and physical education teacher,” Dr. Overstreet expressed, “She is an expert educator and meets all D.E.S.E. (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) requirements.”
Coach Beckley wasn’t sure about taking the job at first due to some health issues she has been dealing with. She wasn’t sure if she could handle the physical demands of the job. “Dr. Overstreet was one of the main reasons I returned, and Coach Peck. When Dr. Overstreet contacted me about the position, I really wasn’t on board with doing it again,” Coach Beckley explained.
Coach Beckley went on to say, “However, he (Dr. Overstreet) explained the situation (no one applied for the position after Jenny Talbert moved schools), so I didn’t want someone with no prior relationship with the students, nor the qualifications to teach Health and Physical Education to ‘substitute’ for the year. ”
This volleyball season Coach Beckley has led the C team to an undefeated streak. “I pride myself on being the team mom,” Coach Beckley exclaimed, “The other coaches and I really love the group of girls we have. They work extremely hard and are so fun to be around!”
“It’s definitely different not having Coach Talbert there, but Coach Beckley has picked up right where Coach Talbert left off and is a great addition to the weight room because she pushes everyone to do their best,” Boatwright said.
“Coach Beckley is all about building positive relationships with her students! She is also a light to our high school building because she is always smiling and joking with someone,” Dr. Overstreet added.
Quincy Williams (10), another Fair Grove volleyball player, said, “I think Coach Beckley has a positive impact on the school because of her uplifting attitude and how sweet she is to everyone.”
Coach Beckley can be found coaching these next upcoming volleyball games, October 3rd at Central, and October 5th at Strafford.
