by Ashlyn Shafer, AWHS Senior and Communications Intern
Teachers have a great impact on the students that come in and out of their classrooms every day, spending hours and hours together and encouraging them to try new things, learn, and grow as a person. Coaches have a doubly important role, teaching not only in the classroom, but on the field as well. In honor of National Coaches Appreciation Day, Anthony Wayne would like to point the spotlight on a few teachers/coaches who impact student-athletes every day.
Ryan Donley, Baseball
When Ryan Donley is on the field, he’s the AWHS Varsity Baseball coach, but when he’s in school, he’s a physical education teacher in one of the most admired gym programs in Northwest Ohio. He is known for his weight room guidance, competitive spirit, and strong support of each and every student.
Coach Donley’s favorite part of his teaching position is being in the system and making an impact on kids. He loves working with them, and he also loves working with all of his colleagues, and his co-teacher and girls basketball coach, Jami Carter.
On the Diamond, his favorite part of the position is again, the students. He cares for each and every player’s success on the team. “Their individual successes turning into team successes and seeing everything come together is the most rewarding part,” he said” He’s also had students impact him “every year and every day” in so many ways. “Being a teenager is hard, and seeing them navigate practices, school, family, and sometimes work is really hard,” he said. “Knowing what kids are going through outside of school and seeing so many people from different walks of life come together for a common goal is inspiring.”
Katie Pollock, Girls Golf
Katie Pollock is the Girls Golf coach but she teaches Business classes including Finance, Fashion Merchandising, Accounting, and is also a co-advisor for the Yearbook Class. She is known for her warm smile and strong encouragement both in and out of the classroom. Her favorite part about teaching is, “making an impact on the students and setting them up for their future career and their future personal finance world.” Her classes range from general education curriculum to College Credit Plus (CCP) classes.
Her favorite part about coaching is “getting to know the student athletes on a different level rather than just in the classroom.” She also organizes off-campus events for her yearbook staff to get them more journalism and photography skills. When asked if any student has ever made an impact on her life, Coach Pollock said she believes that every single student she is able to instruct, whether it's in the classroom or on the green, has made a difference in her life one way or another.
Kevin O’Connor, Cross Country and Track
When asked if students inspire him the same way he inspires others, Kevin O’Connor responded, “When I get emails from past students and athletes, thanking me for what I taught them, sometimes years prior, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Coach O’Connor is an English teacher in the High School, teaching American Literature and AP American Language to upperclassmen. He is popular among students for his engaging teaching style. “His classes are not just educational, but enjoyable and rewarding in so many ways,” said Gabe Kusmierek, AWHS Class of 2024. Getting to know his students and helping them “find something they’re excited about” is Coach O’ Connor’s favorite part about being in the classroom.
He said favorite part about being a track coach is “getting to know students outside of a classroom setting, and then carrying over those relationships into the classroom. It really helps with the comfort of learning, and can make class discussions much easier.”
Coach O’Connor said the most rewarding part of his job is getting student emails from years prior, thanking him for the work that he’s done. “It lets me know I’ve done my job,” he said.
Thank you to each of the coaches who commit so much of their time helping students grow, succeed, and achieve their potential. Your influence goes beyond wins and losses—it's about building character, fostering teamwork, and shaping futures. Happy Coaches Day!