We have many great teachers and coaches here at the school, Mrs. Demasi being one of them. She has been working here at Musselman since January 31st 2005, which makes this 20 years. She teaches Physical Education and Girls Weight Training and Conditioning. This is her 19th season coaching basketball. To get to know her even better we did a Q&A. Asking her questions about her experiences and her favorites about teaching and coaching.
Q: What is your favorite part about working here at Musselman?
A: Musselman was my first job straight out of college. I was automatically embraced by a group of teachers and invited into their lunch bunch where I was shown love. Each of those ladies hold a special place in my heart. They each taught me something that I carry on today, and I try to show anyone else that may come into our department .
Q:What do you like most about coaching basketball?
A: Basketball was my sport. It’s the game that I love more than anything. My dad introduced it to me when I was 6 years old. Back where I am from we didn’t have rec leagues. I was the only girl on our boys elementary school basketball team. I have had many wonderful moments playing and coaching this game. I do my best to instill that love into everyone that I have an opportunity to coach. I want to mold those kids as fantastic humans as well as players. Coaching is a way that I can give back to the game that treated me so good all my life. I always tell the kids, ” Love the game, it will love you back.”
Q:How long have you been coaching Basketball here? And maybe before or outside of here?
A: My first six seasons were with the girls where I coached JV and Varsity Assistant, and these the last 13 years have been with the boys. I was the only female coach coaching boys high school for 10 years here in WV. Cabell Midland High School had a female Varsity Assistant coach three years ago and just this year there is another woman coaching Hedgesville’s JV. It’s great to see women stepping into the “man’s world” and succeed in it. 1 year as a student assistant for Concord University.
Q: If you could teach any other subject what would it be?
A: If I could teach something else I would probably enjoy teaching a self care class to girls where we discuss a variety of things young women need to know such as nutrition, stress relief, self worth, and anything else that maybe they are struggling with. This would be good for boys too.
Q: Would you coach another sport if you could? If so then what?
A: I coached softball here from 2005-2018. As for joining anything else, I don’t think so.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching/coaching?
A: Teaching wasn’t my first option when wanting to pursue a career. I would have loved to been a radiologist, but one of my high school teachers expressed his love for this profession and how it was the perfect job for anyone wanting a family. I’ve come to realize this is where I was meant to be. I have had a lot of opportunities to mentor a lot of kids, and I hope I have left a lasting impression.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about teaching/coaching?
A: I love watching kids’ confidence grow in class or on the field/floor. Even if they are not winning but are smiling I take that as a win in everyone’s book. We tend to forget we do things to have fun.
