Thunder Vista P-8 Coach elevates student success

Coach Randy Brings Heart, Hustle, and Positivity to Thunder Vista
Every school has that one person who brings the sunshine. At Thunder Vista P-8, that person is Coach Randy.
He is more than a substitute teacher. He is the steady voice in the classroom, the familiar smile in the hallway, and the energy boost kids didn’t know they needed. My boys light up when they talk about him. When Coach Randy is subbing, it’s never just a regular day. It’s a good day. He makes learning feel fun and the school day feel more connected.
He remembers names. He follows through. He brings kindness and humor wherever he goes. He creates a space where students feel seen, respected, and genuinely cared for. That’s something my family values deeply.
One of the best things about Coach Randy is how he moves seamlessly through all grade levels. In a P-8 school, that matters. My boys love sharing stories about him, and they also love comparing notes with their younger sibling when he’s subbing in another grade. There’s a real sense of continuity and connection that comes from having someone students recognize and trust, no matter their age.
While my boys weren’t on his teams, we’ve seen how much pride and momentum Coach Randy brought to Thunder Vista athletics this year. Whether it was soccer, basketball, or other sports, he helped lead those programs to real success. More importantly, he brought heart to them. It’s clear he invests in his players just like he invests in his students.
He is not just covering classes. He is building relationships with intention, and he shows up with the care of a full-time educator, plus a smile that never quits.
Thunder Vista is a better place with him in it. You can feel it in the way students react when they see him. You can see it in the way he carries himself with joy and commitment. Coach Randy isn’t just part of the day. He’s part of the magic.
We’re incredibly grateful for everything he’s brought to our school community, and we truly hope he’ll continue to be part of it next year.

Special thanks to the Thunder Vista P-8 community for submitting this Five Star Story.

This story exemplifies our ELEVATE Focus Area: World-Class Staff. Sharing stories about how staff is compensated, supported and trained to foster student success and family partnerships.