A Talk With Mr. Thornton
The kids call him Mr. T. He directs our Athletic Program and serves as the Upper School PE teacher. He also coaches, chaperons dances and field trips, and directs traffic at drop off in the morning. After 18 years at MGCS, he can’t imagine doing anything else. “I considered a sales job for a while. I even shadowed a guy on a sales route. There was good earning potential and the other employees were great but about half way through the day, I missed my kids at MGCS.”
“The students are the biggest reason I am here. I love watching them grow academically and athletically and best of all, I get to point them to the Lord and watch them grow in their walk with Him.” He remembers one particularly dramatic moment when a group of students shared the gospel with a sad, angry, classmate. “There was immediate transformation. His heart was changed. I’m so thankful I got to witness that.” He also gets to see less dramatic but equally important changes in kids’ lives. “I enjoy watching kids learn a basic skill or finish the mile run. I love that moment when it ‘clicks’ for one of my players, you know, that moment when they get a glimpse of how it all fits together. When they see it’s not about them – it’s about the team.” In the classroom, on the court, or on the field, Mr. T cultivates an active learning environment that helps students develop fitness and life skills that will serve them long after they leave MGCS.
“IT’S GREAT WHEN KIDS COME BACK TO VISIT. JUST THE OTHER DAY, A FORMER STUDENT KNOCKED ON THE GYM DOOR TO SAY HI AND TELL ME WHAT’S GOING ON IN HER LIFE. I LOVE THAT.”
No conversation about Mr. T. would be complete without some thoughts from his students. Here is what this year’s Upper School had to say, “He tells funny stories about when he was in school.” “Tough but a good coach.” “Strict but nice.” “He pushes you but not to the point where you want to give up.” “The mile run is hard, but he is awesome.” Words they use to describe him include: funny, enthusiastic, encouraging, energetic, and cool.
Mr. T. and his wife, Laura, (Lower School PE and Rosetta Stone Teacher) have 3 children. Their oldest attends preschool at MGCS. “Cooper is in school here because we know he gets great care and a great education. Most importantly, his teachers come alongside us to help grow his faith in Christ.