Staff Spotlight: Ted Wallace, Coolidge

By Chris Mitchell '95

Every Friday throughout the 2026-27 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 spotlight features Coolidge Junior High School physical education teacher Ted Wallace.

Wallace graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and earned a master’s degree in sport management from Missouri Baptist University in 2014.

He joined GCSD9 in 2007, serving as an elementary physical education teacher for his first two years before transitioning to the middle school/junior high level in 2009. During his time with the district, Wallace has coached freshman football and basketball, junior high basketball and served as the junior high head football coach.

What inspired you to become a physical education teacher, and what has kept you passionate about teaching throughout your career at Coolidge?
I grew up in a sports family and that’s pretty much what our lives revolved as a kid. I knew I wanted to be involved in that domain in some capacity in my adult life. One thing that has kept me passionate and successful over the years in teaching PE is just the overall introducing sports to junior high kids. This can be a challenging age, but I love teaching them skills and watching them succeed through our numerous activities. Some kids fall in love with a sport or game that they might not be familiar with and it’s really enjoyable as a teacher to experience.

As a former GCHS student-athlete, how did your experiences as a Warrior influence the teacher and coach you became?
I was lucky enough to play for some great coaches at GCHS, who instilled a lot of old school principles like hard work, discipline, and being a great teammate. I think those are all things I can use in my personal and professional life.

What are some of your favorite memories or proudest accomplishments from your years as a coach?
I really enjoyed coaching freshman basketball and football in my younger years. Working with that age group, and watching them lift weights, mature, and get better over those years to eventually become varsity football players on Friday nights was a great experience as a coach. Overall, I think the year we went to the playoffs in 2011 with Carl Luehmann as our head coach was one of my proudest accomplishments being on that staff.

What do you hope students learn in physical education that will benefit them beyond the classroom or athletic field?
Overall, I hope all of my students throughout the years learn and remember that exercise can be fun, in whatever capacity that you choose to do it. That can be through a sport like playing recreational soccer or pickleball at the local park, or lifting weights and running at a gym. Find something you enjoy and stick with it!!!! Those qualities of hard work and discipline that I mentioned before, can take you a long way in all facets of life.

When you’re not at Coolidge, what are some of your hobbies and interests?
I spend most of my free time these days with my wife and kids. We have 8-year old twins and I have been coaching a lot of their activities these first few years of them playing sports. I also love to BBQ in my backyard and attend concerts with my friends!

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