This year, the staff welcomed 14 new teachers, seven of whom are also coaching.
Many of the new coaches came from middle schools where they previously coached. Track and freshman football coach, Christian Barger, transferred from Kingwood Middle School and has been enjoying the change of surroundings.
“The kids are more mature, it’s a very nice, great, environment to be in,” Barger said.
Lacy Gregory, English 2 teacher and assistant softball coach, transferred from Creekwood Middle School when she saw an opportunity open up to coach with her twin sister Lindsay Gregory. Lacy Gregory was a volunteer assistant coach last year for the softball team, but this year is the first year where they made her position official.
For most of the new teachers, this is their first year ever teaching at Kpark. However, Andrew Higham decided to return to Kingwood Park for “the family environment” and how close and convenient Kingwood Park is to him. As the new head boys cross country and track coach, he is the only new head coach on staff this season.
“KPark has a family energy, which is extremely important in creating a positive culture for student-athletes and students and faculty,” Higham said.
Aimee Graff, English teacher and assistant girls cross country coach, found herself returning to her hometown to teach and coach. Graff graduated from Kingwood High School.
“I had heard lots of great things about KPark,” Graff said.“My mother-in-law works in the school district, and she kept talking about how good of a school it is, how great Mr. (Wes) Solomon is, as a principal, how happy teachers are there.”
Graff advised other teachers coming to Kingwood Park to “ask questions. People don’t expect you to know everything, and they’re more willing to help you than you think.”
Even though this is the teachers and coaches first year on campus, many of them have already mentioned that they wanted to stay here for a while.
“KPark is a really welcoming place and has a lot of order and structure,” Gregory said. “It’s just a really fun place to be.”
