BURNET — Two R.J. Richey Elementary School physical education students found their coach, Allison Walker, to present her with a broken jump rope. And they immediately blamed each other.
Walker simply smiled, told the duo it was OK and instructed one to throw it away and the other to get another one.
“I told you they break,” she said before the two scampered off.
Then Walker stood in the front of several rows of students and demonstrated the next jump rope move she wanted them to attempt. From a microphone, Walker could be heard saying, “Jump up and land, jump up and land,” as she moved her legs in a scissors motion. The students giggled as they tried to follow her example.
Onlookers could see why Walker was voted Locals Love Us favorite coach in the Burnet area by The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners. But Walker couldn’t believe she was picked.
“There’s a lot of good coaches in Burnet,” she said with a laugh. “It surprises me that I was the one voted.”
What she loves most about coaching is working with the children, she said.
“And getting to be a kid,” she said. “Acting silly, loving them, trying to make connections with the ones needing extra love.”
Walker enjoys being active and wants her students to enjoy it, too. That’s why she praises them when they get the move right and gently and patiently corrects them they need more time. She said she doesn’t focus on who’s the best, adding she wants all of her students to master what she’s teaching.
“I want them to have a good time,” she said. “I’m always telling them, ‘Don’t let this stress you out.’ Some are going to pick this up faster than others. I really try to get them not to stress about things.”
The coach is aware of the Burnet athletic department’s triumphs on the varsity level. She believes her role, however, is to help her students discover the joys of succeeding with a group.
“We do a lot of throwing-and-catching games,” she said. “A lot of teamwork games, learning to work as a team, problem-solving games, where they have to think as a team and team solve.”
Walker said she is very grateful to be named the Burnet-area’s favorite coach.
“I’m very honored and appreciative to everyone who voted for me,” she said. “It’s awesome.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com
2016 LOCALS LOVE US: R.J. Richey’s Allison Walker voted favorite coach
R.J. Richey Elementary School physical education coach Allison Walker is the Locals Love Us favorite coach in the Burnet area thanks to The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro