Coach Dimino Bio

Name: Tracy Dimino

Birthday: April 15, 1971

College: Bachelors of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dallas, Texas. Major in Cinema and Minor in Theater Arts. 

Single Subject PE Credential from Cal State University San Marcos. 

Adapted PE Credential from Azusa Pacific University

Master of Arts in PE and Adapted PE from Azusa Pacific University

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Book: anything about self-care or resilience

Favorite Food: Protein shake

Favorite Drink: Starbucks vanilla latte

Favorite Quote: Though she be but little, she is fierce (Shakespeare)

Favorite Sports: Ultrarunning, Stand-up Paddleboarding

Favorite Hobbies: running, yard work, baking gooey desserts

Favorite Artists/Bands: Post Malone, Imagine Dragons, 30 Seconds to Mars, Eminem

 

All about me:

I grew up in Dallas, Texas. I wasn’t an athletic child and in fact, I hated PE. I never had a PE teacher in school who noticed my insecurities and would work with me to find fun ways to improve my health. That is the MAIN reason I teach! All our kids matter no matter what their personalities are and they deserve to have a teacher that notices them.

Once I entered college at SMU, I found running. Or I may say that running found me. I started walking then running on the SMU track and realized that my stress decreased and I was managing my weight. Then, I found a group of friends to train with and the rest is history. I ran marathons for 14 years then crossed over to the dark side switching to ultras. 50K-100 mile mountain endurance races. Loving every second of it!

I have 2 boys who attended PUSD schools and graduated from Poway High. My 22-year-old is a Wildland Firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service and my 20-year-old is attending school for Landscape Architecture.

I was an Instructional Aide - PE for almost 5 years at Chaparral Elementary. After receiving my teaching credential, a position was created for me to teach at Painted Rock Elementary. I built a Standard-based PE curriculum over my 3 years teaching TK-5th grade.

I’ve coached Cross Country at the middle school level for 10 years. One year at Olive Peirce MS in Ramona and starting my 9th year coaching at Twin Peaks MS.

Now, I’m happy to say that I’m a Falcon. Grateful for the opportunity to teach at a middle school that clearly shows that the kids matter with a positive vibe.

 

Best Athletic Memory:

I’ll never forget running San Diego Trail Marathon. San Pasquel/Lake Hodges trail area. I was running solid and found myself running near a girl who looked half my age. Heading into the last aid station, I discovered that we were 1st and 2nd place. I got rid of one of my water bottles and headed out on the trails with 5 miles to go before the finish. The other girl and I were playing leap frog exchanging places through that 5 miles. All I kept saying to myself was “keep pushing”. With 100 yards to go and feeling exhausted, I went for it and passed her for the win. I earned that win big time! It felt so good to battle and come out on top. As I age, I don’t win anymore, but I still compete and love the sport and the ultrarunning community. My tribe!