A Coach Committed to Student Success
By the age of seven, Kathleen Moss ’88 knew that she wanted to become a physical education teacher and coach. With a father who served as an aviator in the Navy, she and her family lived in nine different states, which exposed her to a diverse range of educators who inspired her to pursue her career.
Eventually, the Moss family made their way to Texas, and Kathy fell in love with San Antonio. She earned her Master of Arts in Curriculum and Supervision with a concentration in physical education from UTSA. Thereafter, she taught physical education, health, and social studies across San Antonio for 35 years. She coached varsity diving, volleyball, basketball, track, and sponsored cheerleading. An athlete herself, she also played soccer for 27 years with the San Antonio Women’s Soccer Association.
After retiring from the public-school system in 2010, Kathy reconnected with UTSA in several ways. She began working as a clinical teaching supervisor for the UTSA College of Education and Human Development. Kinesiology students enrolled in her course commit to two seven-week placements at elementary and secondary schools. She also became a UTSA Alumni Association Life Member and has volunteered at graduation ceremonies, galas, and other University events.
“My student teachers really have two jobs: teaching physical education and coaching. So, I always tell them, ‘Kiss your family goodbye. Kiss your social life goodbye. All you’re going to want to do is sleep.’”
The intense program engages student-teachers in all areas of the job, and Kathy says her students are creating truly innovative and inclusive curriculum.
Her experience at UTSA encouraged her to establish the Kathleen D. Moss Endowed Scholarship in Kinesiology to further the education of future kinesiology/education majors who plan to teach and/or coach in public schools. Kathy has named the University of Texas at San Antonio as a beneficiary of her retirement fund, allowing her support of kinesiology students to continue forever through her endowed scholarship.
“It’s really important to give back to UTSA. I’m so proud of the way the University has grown and become such an important part of the city.”
And upon graduation, her student-teachers become integral to San Antonio as well as other major cities across the U.S.
“I’m so proud of them. I really enjoy seeing them graduate ... I just feel like it’s really important to give and help students have access to education.”
