Q&A with Columbine poms head coach Tamara Frainier
LITTLETON, Colo. — We are very appreciative of all of our teachers, coaches, and administrators who help our kids every day. We interviewed the Columbine High School Poms Head Coach and First Grade Teacher at Governor’s聽Ranch Elementary, Tamara Frainier, to learn more about what it is like to work with this successful group of athletes.
How long have you been coaching and teaching?
Tamara Frainier: I have been coaching for nine years and I have been teaching for 24 years in Jefferson County.
What is your background in poms and other sports?
Frainier: I participated in cheer and poms at Green Mountain High School.聽I continued to dance after high school by teaching dance classes.聽After I graduated college and began working, I danced for the Denver聽Broncos Cheerleaders. I cheered with the Broncos for six years.
What are one or two things that the team does in training that are keys to their success?
Frainier: Our expectation is that we train together. We have technique classes聽as well as conditioning classes. We also try to utilize a lot of resources聽in our community. We want to provide them with as many聽opportunities as possible to grow as an athlete/dancer while they have fun.聽We believe when it is all said and done and they are off to college,聽their best memories will be dancing for their school, performing at聽games and assemblies, and being there to support other athletes. We try聽to have consistent practices, yet are flexible when we notice they are聽fatigued or overwhelmed. This seems to keep them motivated and聽more relaxed which translates into their performances. We want them聽to feel comfortable communicating what they need and how they are聽feeling so we can make the best decisions for the team.
Please describe the most memorable moment with your team at an event/game.
Frainier: I cannot say I have one most memorable moment with my team.聽Every year, with every team, is a new year with new memories and聽every team challenges me in different ways. Therefore, my most聽memorable moment with each team would be something different.聽One thing that is always memorable, however, is being able to have聽students on my poms team who I taught in first grade. I love to see聽how they have grown. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to聽see them at the beginning of their education and then towards the聽end before they are off to college!
How do you encourage your athletes?
Frainier: One thing we try to do with our athletes is to provide opportunities聽for them to encourage one another. We have found when we can聽establish a strong foundation with each team, the team is stronger聽and they dance more cohesively together. They support one another,聽have accountability, and understand that they have a commitment not聽to me, but to their team.
Describe your proudest coaching moment.
Frainier: I am always proud when I see my team perform. Their hard work and聽dedication pay off when they get to share their talent with their聽peers. Whether it is at a competition or a game, seeing them dance聽makes me proud!聽I also am very proud as I watch them go through our program from a聽freshman to a senior. I love to watch them flourish as a leader and聽get their degree! Of course, it is such an honor when they come back to visit!
What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being a coach?
Frainier: I have learned so many life lessons as a coach! One lesson聽is that I will not always make everyone happy, but the聽most important thing is that I do what I know is right at that moment.聽I will always reflect and learn from every decision I聽make and every situation I encounter. The athlete must always be at聽the forefront!
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
Frainier: High school goes by much too quickly and I want my dancers to look聽back and have wonderful memories of their time with me. I want聽them to look back and know I believed in them, cared about them,聽and supported them. My purpose for coaching needs to be聽about them, not me. I want that to be evident to my dancers.
Anything else you’d like to add:
Frainier: It takes a team to coach and I could not do it without the wonderful聽group of ladies who coach alongside me. We are also so fortunate to聽have the support of our administration! Columbine is a great place to聽be!
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