Faculty Coaches

In the classroom, on the courts, in the studio, and on the field, teachers who also serve as coaches bring a breadth of talent to Magnificat. We asked them how they first became interested in their sport and why they choose to both coach and teach at Magnificat.

David Blatnik

Science Faculty, JV Lacrosse Coach

I first became interested in lacrosse during high school because I wanted to play a spring sport. Lacrosse was still a fringe sport in Northeast Ohio at that time. But I was able to learn from watching it on TV via the NCAA. My high school never had a team. So I had to go outside of the school to pursue it and I was able to pick up the game in college and played at Cleveland State University. I have a unique perspective of Magnificat both as a teacher and coach. As a former student-athlete within the Diocese of Cleveland, I remember teachers giving their time for the betterment of their school/parish communities through coaching. It fills my heart to help students develop as people within the school setting as well as on the field of play. I believe that I am helping create young adults ready for life’s challenges in the real world through the lessons learned both in the classroom and on the field at Magnificat.

Danny Gallagher

Social Studies Faculty, Basketball Coach

When I was old enough to walk — even before that — I was going to high school basketball games with my dad. He was a coach at St. Ed’s so going to games and practices at a very young age piqued my interest in basketball right away. I played for two years in high school at St. Ed’s and then continued on with the basketball program as the manager. It was during that time that I really became interested in coaching. To me, the roles of teacher and coach are basically one in the same. Whether I am teaching a lesson in US History or a new play on the court, my goal is to inspire and uplift the young women at Magnificat to be the best that they can be. Magnificat is a great school filled with a lot of wonderful people, and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work with a faith-filled community and play a positive role in the development of our young women.

Liz George

Social Studies Faculty, Volleyball Coach

I started playing CYO volleyball at St. Rita in Solon when I was about nine, and I played volleyball throughout high school. I thought about playing in college, but decided I just wanted to focus on academics. About two weeks into college I felt lost without volleyball. I needed to be a part of a team so I walked on to the Varsity Rowing Team at the University of Dayton. I always tell people I have the best job there is because I have found a way to combine all of my passions. As a teacher, it is really important to form relationships with your students. I get to do that before the school year even starts when we start training for volleyball over the summer. I get to see my athletes as students, something their other coaches don’t always get to see. It is also important for me to be an advocate for my athletes, and teaching and coaching at the same school gives me the opportunity to do so!

Faculty Coaches continued

David Schmitz

Math Faculty, Track & Field Coach

I started running track and field when I was a sophomore at Midview High School in Grafton, Ohio. My girlfriend at the time (now my wife) convinced me to join and try hurdles. I was never very fast, but no one else on the team was brave enough to do hurdles and I had a lot of fun doing it too. I love the sport and I want to share that love with the students. It is so rewarding to watch the students improve throughout the season and watch their hard work pay off. It also allows me to get to know the students outside the classroom.

Paige St. John ’15

Dance & Physical Education Faculty, Dance Coach

I started dancing at the age of three at Miss Kristin's Dance Studio in Avon Lake. After trying multiple sports and activities growing up, it became very clear that dance was my love and what I was meant to do. My passion then solidified even more once I began to travel and dance competitively, and even further once I became a part of the Dance Program and family at Magnificat High School. It was in high school that I began to realize that my love for all that dance encompasses: the artistry, athleticism, freedom, challenge, and so much more. At The Ohio State University, I studied dance education and composition, where I spent two years performing, training, and competing as a member of the OSU Dance Team. In addition to my roles at Magnificat, I am Company Dancer with Cleveland Dance Project Company and finishing my first year of graduate school studying dance education through the University of Northern Colorado. I have said it before and I will continue to say it: I truly do not think I would be where I am today without the experience and community I was so blessed to be a part of during my years at Magnificat. My time in this school taught me confidence and compassion, introduced me to new ways of movement and even more new ways of thinking, and provided opportunity and adventure. I view my coaching and teaching roles here at Magnificat as a way to provide those experiences that grew and challenged me to the next generations of thinkers and movers. I am continually impressed and inspired by the students I have the pleasure of interacting with and I will always be thankful for the entirety of my time as a Blue Streak: as a student, alumna, coach, and teacher.

Kim Worden Summers ’98

Performing Arts Faculty, Dance Coach

As a child, my parents enrolled me in ballet, tap, and jazz classes while living in New York City. I started dancing at the age of three and fell in love with it almost immediately. I then attended local competitions and conventions from age 12-18 with my dance studio, and I was a member of the dance company, gymnastics team, and show choir while a student at Magnificat. After graduation I attended Baldwin Wallace University, where I studied dance and business management. Honestly, I never thought I’d be back at my alma mater teaching. The performing arts building, the dance curriculum classes, and the competitive dance team did not exist while I was a student at Magnificat. However, when Jill Haller approached me about joining the growing dance program here at Magnificat, I simply could not refuse. I loved my time as a student at Magnificat, and I knew instantly that I wanted to return to share my love of dance and the arts with the students. Having the opportunity to work with dancers of all levels — and to observe their growth over the course of a year — is such a blessing. Dance provides so much more than the steps. It allows one to express themselves creatively, while providing a mental, physical, and an emotional outlet through movement. Dance is simply great for the soul.

Liz Wojtkun ’02

Social Studies Faculty, Gymnastics Coach

I started in gymnastics classes when I was three years old because — according to my mom — I was that little kid bouncing off the walls who needed a safe place to channel my energy. I loved the sport from the beginning and always wanted to learn new skills, improve my routines, succeed in competitions, and help my team win. I competed for Magnificat while I was in high school and was a part of two State Champion teams (1999 and 2002) and a State Runner-Up team (2000). I also earned AllState and All-District Honors as an individual competitor, in addition to finishing on the podium in several state competitions. I love giving my time to Magnificat as a coach because it allows me to connect with my students on a different level than in the classroom. Magnificat focuses on the importance of holistic education, and athletics are one component of this mission. On a team, we have a collective goal that is bigger than any individual athlete and I’m grateful to be able to help each student-athlete build her own strengths in a way that helps her to contribute to our team’s overall success.