Meet the new Physical Education Teacher Mrs. Kate McCann (Coach Kate)

When it comes to Physical Education, the new PE Teacher Mrs. Kate McCann’s goal is to change the mindset of students and parents about health and wellness, particularly how the two correlate, impacting daily brain function for the good or bad.
“Health is only one part of the equation, wellness is the other,” explained McCann. “Health can be measured and quantified, whereas wellness is our state of mind. If we are not ‘well’, then we cannot function to the best of our abilities. For instance, if you are a student and you have not been engaging in physical activity, eating properly, and/or getting enough sleep, you may not perform well in the classroom or you may not have the energy to engage mentally for the day.”
She went on to explain that the way people view health and wellness has been skewed by social media and technology, meaning this generation of children do not understand their bodies and the impact that exercise and nutrition has on their ability to succeed in all areas of life.
McCann, known to her students as Coach Kate, integrates scripture into her class instruction by teaching students how to translate Biblical joy into their everyday lives. “Sherry Blough told me when I was in seventh grade, ‘Smile at everyone and show them kindness because it could be life-changing for them’. She meant be joyful because you know Christ. People will see your joy and want to know why you are different from everyone else.”
Coach Kate noted that this message can be used on the court or field, in the classroom or even in line at the grocery store. “My goal is that our students will learn this lesson in class and be a light for Christ in the world,” she said.
McCann said what enjoys most about being a Physical Education teacher is watching students build confidence in their ability to perform at a higher level as well as engage in games and activities that help them hone basic skills like communication and team work.
McCann came to Twin Oaks from Covenant Christian School where she served as the PE teacher and Kindergarten aide. During this time, she also assisted coached for the Westminster Christian Academy Girls Varsity Basketball Team and helped lead summer camps for Camp Westminster.
In fact, while preparing for the upcoming school year this summer, McCann ran into one of the Twin Oaks students she coached at Camp Westminster. “Running into this student was very exciting for me,” recalled Coach Kate. “I reflected on his athletic skills that I saw during camp as well as his good behavior/manners. This was my first glimpse of what the expectations are for Twin Oaks’ students.”
Kate earned a Bachelors of Health Sciences degree from the University of Missouri in 2014. She has been happily married for three years to her best friend, Bret McCann, who is an assistant portfolio manager for The Trust Company of Commerce Bank.
Outside of work, Bret and Kate enjoy taking their 3-year-old Golden Retriever (Remington) backpacking and camping. When they are not planning a hiking trip through the woods, they can be found relaxing at home with friends and family.
When asked where she would vacation if she could go anywhere in the world, McCann responded, “I would love to visit Europe one day. However, I just can’t get enough of the sun and the sand! To me nothing says vacation more than hanging out and relaxing on a beach, so my ideal trip would be anywhere in the Caribbean with my whole family.”