Staff Spotlight: Amy Warren, GCHS

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Amy Warren.

Warren is an Athletic Administrative Assistant at Granite City High School and has been working for GCSD9 for six years.

“Mrs. Warren is an integral part of the GCHS Athletic Staff. She always goes above and beyond to help our student athletes be successful. Amy cares deeply about our athletes and coaches and she shows that every day,” said GCHS Athletic Director John Moad.

Where did you attend school? 
I started my college career at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. before transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where I completed the remainder of my studies and earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts/Studio Arts.

What does a typical day look like as an athletic administrative assistant? 
A typical day as an athletic administrative assistant is fast-paced. Each day can look a little different depending on our weekly athletic schedule, but my core responsibilities keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.  I usually start my day by managing the main switchboard – answering calls & directing inquiries.  Throughout the day, I work closely with our Athletic Director, assisting with a variety of tasks such as coordinating schedules, preparing documents, and helping ensure all athletic programs operate efficiently.  A big part of my role involves logistics.  I handle all transportation requests for the athletic teams and school activities, making sure buses are scheduled correctly and that teams have reliable travel plans for games and events.  I also manage and check daily our athletic registration for all sports, ensuring student-athletes are properly signed up, cleared, and eligible to participate. In addition, on the financial side, I process athletic bills and purchase orders daily, helping maintain accurate records and ensuring everything aligns with accounting procedures. Overall, my day is about staying organized, being proactive, and supporting students, staff, and coaches so that our athletic programs run smoothly and successfully.

How do athletics contribute to school culture and community pride? 
I believe that athletics contribute to school culture and community pride by bringing people together and creating a shared sense of identity.  They promote values like teamwork, discipline, and leadership among students, while also boosting school spirit through events and traditions.  At the same time, they connect the school with families and the community, giving everyone something to support and take pride in.

Somebody shared that you have a passion for art, where did you find that passion? 
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My uncle sparked the initial fire by sharing his sketches with me, which motivated me to teach myself and build my skills through childhood and junior high.  It was a constant learning process, but my artistic world opened up completely in college, where I found my true passion: textiles & mixed media painting.  It completely changed how I look at art, texture, and creativity.

How do you manage working in athletics while also supporting a busy family life, with your husband coaching and teaching, one son playing varsity volleyball and soccer, and another at Coolidge?  
With a household centered around athletics and education, I treat my schedule like a playbook.  As a family, we try to stay organized by using a family calendar that is shared amongst us four. Prioritizing is key! It’s all about effective communication and teamwork, both at work and at home. There are days, we have to split up to support our sons at their games and other activities, but we manage and ensure that they have someone cheering them on at all times.  We also enjoy as a family & make it a priority to support various GCHS teams and extracurricular activities. Supporting our fellow Warriors is a highlight of our day! 

What is it like growing up with a twin?  
It’s fantastic, it’s hard to imagine not having her by my side! Essentially, I had a permanent best friend and teammate from day one. We never had to navigate challenges alone, and we have such a close bond. Some people would say that we have an intense, deep connection because we finish each other’s sentences often. There are times, we will buy the same exact outfit and not have gone shopping together!

What is your favorite memory working as an athletic administrative assistant? 
It’s hard for me to pinpoint an all-time favorite work memory as I’ve always been lucky in the colleague department. I’ve made lifelong friends while working at GCHS and shared too many laughs to count. While that experience is hard to sum up in one specific memory, all of my favorites have coworkers as a common thread so my favorite memory is more like a favorite life asset.  Additionally, during COVID-19 remote learning, a staff member used the attendance question: ‘Who is our Athletic Director here at GCHS?’ Almost the entire class answered, ‘Mrs. Warren!’  It still gives us a good laugh in the athletic office.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net