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PE / Health department

Why do you think sports are so important in an academic setting?

Caylee Daigneault and Amber Dieffenbach • February 13, 2026

As our 2025-2026 school year is slowly coming to a close, there is no better time to get to know people who make Starr’s Mill such a great place to learn. This month, we are starting a new spotlight series including all the departments at Starr’s Mill. Those departments include: Math, English, Physical Education, Exceptional Children Services, History, World Language, Fine Arts, CTAE, and Science.

To give students and staff an insightful look, we asked each department a question that would reveal more about their personality. Their responses offer insight into their humor, values, and teaching styles, and all the small details that make up each department.

With so many new employees joining the Starr’s Mill staff this year, this spotlight series is a perfect opportunity to get to know all the staff. It is a perfect way for everyone to connect. This week’s department is physical education.

Brent Moseley, department chair

“I think it teaches hard work, it teaches discipline, and it teaches kids to be on time," Moseley said. "It teaches a lot of life lessons that you can take into the classroom.”

29 years teaching at Starr's Mill
David Cooper

I think sports kind of set the tone for the school, the culture,” Cooper said. “It’s the fun part. It’s what people do outside of the regular, just sitting at a desk trying to absorb as much information as you can. It's kind of an outlet for everybody.”

11 years teaching at Starr's Mill
Peyton Dean

“It teaches a lot of life skills as far as accountability, leadership, teamwork, and a lot of things that roll into the professional setting,” Dean said.

6 years teaching at Starr's Mill
Brandon Frey

“I think it gives kids the chance to be social throughout the school day in a different aspect,” Frey said. “It sort of wakes you back up in the middle of the day when you’ve sort of maybe been tired after being in class. It gives you a chance to move around.”

1 year teaching at Starr's Mill
Cody Haralson

“I think sports are important in an academic setting because sports will teach you mental toughness,” Haralson said. “I believe it teaches you how overcome adversity.”

1 year teaching at Starr's Mill
Chase Penland

“It allows kids to learn how to balance and manage their daily life, and kind of prioritize things with their academics and their sports,” Penland said. “It’s a lot to be an athlete and still do well in the classroom.”

7 years teaching at Starr's Mill
Chad Walker

“Sports are important in an academic setting, because they help with discipline, they help with your attitude, mental toughness, and your time management," Walker said.

21 years teaching at Starr's Mill
Mark Williamson

“I believe that there are many students that need the outlet that sports provides them,” Williamson said. “I think it helps them focus by being involved. I think that it gives them a little more drive, because they know in order to participate they need to do well in their academic classes.”

29 years teaching at Starr's Mill

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PE / Health department

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