Meet Denise Leathers-Pouliot, a school nurse who began her Girls on the Run coaching journey at Monmouth Memorial School in Spring 2023.
As a school nurse and a mom of three girls, Denise knows well the challenges girls in grades 3-5 face, and the power of Girls on the Run. In her own words, “I want to help girls in grades 3-5 learn the power that lies within each of them, how to foster a sense of self, and importantly a sense of connection with other girls. GOTR is the perfect balance of social emotional learning and physical activity.” Monmouth is so lucky that Denise has passionately brought the program to the community!
Coach Denise gets Girls on the Run– everything she does embodies the GOTR spirit and mission. She encourages friendship by ensuring that her team members have opportunities to connect with everyone throughout the season, she fosters empathy through having her team stay for the whole Celebratory 5K to cheer on each team member as they finish, and anytime we’re lucky enough to see or talk with her, she expresses such joy!
When asked to do some reflecting about GOTR, Denise couldn’t speak about her experience without a shoutout to her superstar assistant coaches. Autumn Houck has been assisting from the beginning, and Katie Torrington and Robin Siderio have joined along the way. Denise said she could not offer the program without these women and that she is blessed.
We are so fortunate that Denise decided to become a Girls on the Run coach! The work she puts into hosting a team each fall and her excitement and dedication to the program make a meaningful difference for the kids on her team. Continue reading below to hear more about GOTR in Denise’s own words.
If you’re interested in learning about more of our superstar coaches, check out our Instagram/Facebook Coach Spotlight series!
How did you become involved with GOTR?
As a long time runner, I have been familiar with GOTR for at least 15 years. As a mother of three girls (now all grown), I know of the struggles that young girls face. As a school nurse, I want to help girls in grades 3-5 learn the power that lies within each of them, how to foster a sense of self and, importantly, a sense of connection with other girls. GOTR is the perfect balance of social emotional learning and physical activity.
What do you love most about GOTR?
I absolutely love watching the program participants connect with each other. Our coaching team fosters connection outside of the same old safe friendship, and we encourage the connections in every lesson by mixing up groups. Watching these connections grow and seeing the girls support one another through the funny and the hard things is really heartwarming. There is power that lies within a group; and you can see that happening with every lesson.
What is your favorite GOTR lesson/activity? OR What’s a highlight from one of your seasons?
At the celebratory 5k, our Monmouth Memorial School GOTR team always cheers each other on and supports our last team member as they work their way to the finish line. To me, this sums up the program and our MMS community. My favorite lessons are the very first lesson and of course Being a Friend!
Additional:
I could not offer the program at MMS without the other coaches, Autumn Houck has been alongside me every year, Katie Torrington joined last year and Robin Siderio joined this year. All three are educators at the school who are respected and loved by students. These women make the program personal for the girls, organized and fun. Can I just suggest that if you highlight me, please also give them a nod. I am blessed.