For Allison Rademacher, education and coaching are in her blood. Her grandfather was Charles Meyer, an Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame member and was a basketball coach and teacher at Scott County School District 2. Her dad is a math teacher and high school basketball coach. Her aunts, uncles, and cousins are also educators.
“As I grew up, I began to really understand the impact that teachers have on their students. I knew that was something I wanted to do,” said Rademacher, a fifth-grade teacher at Lexington Elementary School. “I love learning and I love helping other people learn and grow. I knew I wanted to make a positive impact on the world by pouring into and helping develop the next generation.”
When a teaching position at Scott 2 opened at LES, Rademacher knew this was the place she wanted to be.
“I was interested in teaching in Scott 2 not only because how it influenced and shaped me as a student early on but also because of the values the district upholds,” Rademacher said. “When I thought about where I wanted to teach, I knew I wanted it to be somewhere where I was going to be supported as an educator and somewhere I truly would be making a difference in the lives of students.”
In fact, the fifth-grade classroom at Lexington Elementary School where Rademacher teaches is the same classroom she used when she was a fifth-grade student there years ago.
“When the job opened up at Lexington, I knew without a doubt that was a school I would love to have the opportunity to teach at. Being able to teach alongside teachers who helped and develop and shape me when I was a student — in a school with outstanding qualities — is such a unique opportunity to have,” Rademacher said.
Beyond the classroom and her students, Rademacher is making an impact on the volleyball court at Scottsburg High School. She shapes high school volleyball players alongside her former high school coach, D.J. Zipp. Zipp was Rademacher’s volleyball coach for four years at Borden High School.
“It really is unique being able to coach alongside my high school coach. DJ had a huge impact on developing me as a volleyball player, and I learned a significant amount about the game of volleyball from being a player of his for four years,” Rademacher said. “I loved playing for him, and it’s a privilege to now be able to coach with him.”
In her first year as a coach, Rademacher enjoyed seeing her players improve and continue grow in the game that she fell in love with years ago. Rademacher did not have the opportunity to continue her athletic career in college due to repeated knee injuries, but she was a three-sport star in high school. In high school, Rademacher played volleyball, basketball, and tennis; she averaged 13.5 points per basketball game in her senior year; she was a four-year starter in volleyball; and she graduated at the top of her class.
“Seeing the girls develop and improve from the first open gym last summer to sectional time was incredible and a privilege to be part of,” Rademacher said. “I really enjoy coaching volleyball and being part of the program at Scottsburg. I’m very excited to see what the future holds for Scottsburg volleyball.”
The future and leaving a lasting legacy is important to Rademacher and her family. Rademacher’s grandfather left a legacy not only for his community but for Rademacher. Meyer died when Rademacher was a high school freshman.
“His legacy most definitely impacted my desire to become a teacher and to coach. I recognized the influence my Papaw had on others from early on in my life,” Rademacher said. “He was by far my biggest fan when I was younger, and I wish more than anything I would have had more time with him. His legacy and character greatly impacted my decision to go into education and to coach. I knew I wanted to have the impact on people that he had on people in his lifetime.”
Rademacher was also influenced by her father’s career on and off the basketball court.
“I’ve known since I was in high school that I wanted to coach someday. I grew up as the daughter of a basketball coach and have always loved that side of athletics. As I got older, I knew that was something I wanted to do,” Rademacher said. “Helping athletes develop their skills and character and having an impact on their lives is something I am passionate about.”
Before she started her teaching and coaching career at Scott County School District 2, Rademacher spent her summers before her junior and senior years of college in Orlando, Fla., where she worked at Universal Studios. Rademacher was part of a 10-week leadership training program with Campus Outreach. The non-denominational campus ministry organization partnered with Universal Studios, so its participants, like Rademacher, could work at the theme park while in the leadership program.
At Universal Studios, Rademacher worked in the merchandise store, Filch’s in Hoghead, which is part of the Harry Potter attraction. She sold typical theme park merchandise and even sold wands on a wand cart for Harry Potter enthusiasts.
“I had to dress and act the part like I really was a student at Hogwarts,” Rademacher said. “I absolutely loved working at Filch’s. I was working there when Diagon Alley opened at Universal, so I was even able to see several actors and actresses from the movies that came for opening day. That was very exciting.”
In her second summer at the theme park, Rademacher worked at a restaurant in the Marvel area of Islands of Adventure.
“Working at Universal Studios was a wonderful opportunity that I am extremely thankful I was able to have,” Rademacher said. “The experiences and opportunities I had produced skills that are transferable skills. [...] The communication skills, teamwork skills, ability to adapt, and using my imagination for better instruction or direction are just a few things I gained from working at Universal Studios that carry over into my career as a teacher.”
At Scott County School District 2, Rademacher’s story is our story. Your story matters. You matter.