Staff Spotlight: Jessica Thompson, GCHS Cheer

Each Friday during the month of June, Granite City Community Unit School District #9 will highlight a new member of the Granite City High School coaching staff as we prepare for the 2026-27 school year.

This week's staff spotlight features Jessica Thompson.

Thompson is a sixth-grade teacher at Prather Elementary School and is entering her first season as the GCHS Head Cheerleading Coach. A former GCHS cheerleader and collegiate national champion at Lindenwood University, Thompson brings a wealth of experience as both a competitor and coach to the Warriors program.

Coach Thompson shares her thoughts on returning to GCHS, her vision for the cheerleading program, and what she's most excited about for the upcoming season!

As a former Coolidge and GCHS cheerleader, what does it mean to return home and lead the Warriors cheer program?
Returning home to lead the Warriors cheer program is a full-circle moment for me. Granite City helped shape who I am, not only as a cheerleader but as a person. My coaches and community invested in me, and I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to a program that means so much! I take great pride in representing Granite City and helping the next generation of Warriors create memories, build confidence, and experience the same sense of pride and belonging that I did.

You were part of Lindenwood University’s first NCA National Championship team. What is one lesson from that experience that you still carry with you today?
One lesson I still carry with me is that success is built on consistency and trust. Winning a national championship wasn’t about one great performance...it was the result of countless hours of preparation, attention to detail, and coaches and teammates holding each other accountable. Every athlete had an important role, and our success depended on trusting each other to do our jobs. That’s something I strive to teach my athletes today: small daily habits and commitment to the team lead to extraordinary results. 

You have experience as an athlete, coach, camp instructor, and national champion. How have those experiences shaped your coaching philosophy?
My experiences have taught me that great coaching is about developing the whole athlete. While technical skills and performance are important, I believe the most successful programs focus on building confidence, character, leadership, and resilience. As a coach, I want to create a positive environment where athletes feel challenged, trusted, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential. I strive to hold high standards while also building strong relationships and helping athletes grow both on and off the mat.

What are your goals for the GCHS cheer program both on the sidelines and in competition?
On the sidelines, my goal is to create an energetic, unified team that helps build school spirit and represents Granite City with pride and professionalism. I want our athletes to be positive leaders within the school and community and be proud to wear that G on their uniform! 

In competition, I want to build a program that consistently performs at a high level through strong fundamentals, proper technique, and a commitment to excellence. My focus is on creating a culture where athletes are motivated to improve, compete with confidence, and achieve individual and team goals that they can be proud of.

What qualities do you hope to instill in your student-athletes as they represent Granite City High School?
I hope to instill integrity, accountability, resilience, teamwork, and pride. I want our athletes to understand that they represent something bigger than themselves whenever they wear a GCHS uniform. Whether they are performing on the sidelines, competing, or representing the school in the community at an event, I want them to lead by example, support one another, work hard, and carry themselves with confidence and respect. The saying goes, "there's a young cheerleader in the stands looking up to you!" My goal is for them to leave the program not only as better athletes, but as stronger leaders and individuals prepared for success beyond high school.