For many students, Kirsten Stone needs no introduction. Whether you’ve had her as your history teacher or visited her at her office at the end of history hall as Assistant Director of Student Activities, her 17-year presence at Madison is hard to ignore. Although, maybe her biggest impact comes outside of school hours as her job as the varsity girls’ basketball coach. Like many other teachers, she is tasked with juggling both teaching duties as well as coaching some of Madison’s extraordinary athletics.
Unsurprisingly, the double commitment of Stone’s work leads to a precarious balancing act between her teaching and coaching. During the season, coaching can take up to 2.5 hours every day, and alongside her work with activities, SGA and history, she often ends up getting home well into the evening hours of the day. While the workload may seem daunting, for Stone, basketball is a part of who she is.

“I played basketball at Madison, and then I played college basketball,” Stone said and since her return to Madison in 2006, she’s been coaching ever since. 

For Stone, teaching and coaching also have some hallmark differences.

“I feel like when I coach, I get to know the players,” Stone said. Beyond just knowing more, coaching also leads to a different type of student-teacher relationship, “Imagine being around someone and all they do is tell you your faults all day,” Stone said, “then you have to get to know them, so that you have the relationship to [criticize them].”

For many, it may be confusing why a history teacher/ administrative official would double as a coach. Considering  the breadth of Madison’s staff already, why give a teacher so much extra workload, instead of just hiring someone outside? 

Stone explains her view: “I think it is helpful if you’re inside the school because kids can reach you at any time of the day, and so if they have a problem, or if they want to talk about something that’s on their mind, they can, right away,” Stone said. 

As Stone understands, coaching a sport like girls’ basketball makes you more than a coach, rather, an important figure in their students’ lives. This makes it all the more vital that Stone is part of the Madison community, just as they are.

For Stone, her role as coaching is very important to her; “It’s very fulfilling, it allows me to be part of a group that I’ve been a part of since I was younger.” 

Stone treats her role as leader in the Madison community with a great importance and thankfulness, and judging by her team’s consistent success, it’s safe to say her team feels the same.