Ms. Brianna Harper is a new PE teacher, but a familiar face at Socastee. 

She has been the Bravette’s coach for the last few years and is a 2018 graduate. 

“I was a ‘free event coach’ prior, and I wanted to be more involved in the school and start my big girl job,” she said.

  Majoring in exercise and sports science at Coastal Carolina University where she was also on the Dance Team, Coach Harper did not expect to become a high school PE teacher. 

“I wanted to do physical therapy, specifically in pediatrics, because I knew I wanted to work with kids,” she said. 

Even though Coach Harper did not expect to work in a high school, she has been thriving at it so far this year, according to many of her students.

“She’s doing great, she’s very nice, she’s sweet, and she’s understanding,” freshman Tierra Dirks said.

Freshman Kyler Wethington enjoys the variety of activities and exercise opportunities provided in her class. 

“Coach Harper is a good coach, my favorite part of her class is playing basketball,” Kyler said.

Coach Harper aspires to be a strong role model for her students.

“When I was in high school, I didn’t have the best role models or examples, as far as college and after high school,” she said.

She hopes she can give students what she did not have while she was in school and provide them with someone to look up to.

“I would like to be that for someone else that might be in the same position I was in.” 

Coach Harper has already succeeded as a role model for many of her Bravettes.

“I’ve known Coach Bri since I was a freshman, and now as a senior I still love and respect her so much,” senior Laney Barno said. “She has taught me so much not just about dance but how to be the best version of myself.”