Oureana Armstrong is always photo ready. photo by Sony Calhoun
Restorative Justice is just the beginning of Ms. Armstrong’s career
Growing up with 20 siblings, Oureana Armstrong learned how to stand out from an early age. Being a cheerleader throughout high school, and now an adult earning a psychology degree, Armstrong has always had her eye on the prize. As a restorative justice coordinator and cheer coach leading her team to success, Armstrong is only getting started with her career.
Armstrong grew up in Colorado, attending Gateway High School (GHS) for the majority of four years. After high school, Armstrong began working as a teaching assistant for two years before arriving at TJ last October. “My whole life, I always wanted to be a dean. Growing up, people would ask ‘what do you wanna be?’ I’d always say ‘I wanna be a dean.’”
“It was the easiest job interview ever,” she recalled. “I went in and met with Mr. Skari and Ms. Lupo, and it all flowed really well. We all got along really well.” Armstrong works as a restorative justice coordinator at TJ. Her job involves sitting in on restorative conversations involving students, teachers, and anyone else in the TJ community. “I’m working to get some experience. I want to be a dean in the future for students, culture, or instruction.” Armstrong is hoping to become a high school dean later on in her career.
While Armstrong didn’t originally expect to take over coaching for TJ’s cheer squad last year, it wasn’t her first encounter with the sport. “I’ve always been passionate about cheer since I was a little girl. I’ve always loved it.” Armstrong cheered at GHS for the majority of four years before moving on to coach cheer at her elementary school. “I worked with grades 3-5. I loved [it]…it was fun, we’d cheer at the little basketball games, but I wanted something more intense. I wanted to compete.”
For a season, Armstrong returned to her alma mater, GHS , to assistant coach the cheer team. Armstrong recalled, “That was a very up and down experience, but I’m grateful for it because it shaped me into the coach I am now.” After the previous coach left TJ in the middle of a competition season, Armstrong stepped up to lead the Spartans to place in 3rd or above at every competition since she began coaching. Accompanied by her assistant coach, Brenda Gonzales, the pair manages a group of over 30 cheerleaders at practices, games, and competitions.
Armstrong is passionate about the sport and invests her energy and time into making the Spartans the best cheer team they can be. “I love watching them enjoy it. I love watching my cheerleaders win, it’s what keeps me going.” Armstrong has a competitive spirit that she shares with the students on her team. “At our most recent competition we placed 3rd, and we really enjoyed it. Coaching a team that does well and places makes me feel accomplished as a coach.” Despite her love for competing, Armstrong most enjoys the little moments of fun that she shares with her team. “That first football game of the season was really fun, nobody felt a lot of pressure and we all just had fun in the moment.” She paused before continuing, “and of course I love winning, who doesn’t love to win?” While Armstrong loves to win, it’s not what she loves the most.
“I love being a mom. If I’m not working or coaching, I’m being a mom.” Armstrong has two toddlers, Jay’veon and Stephen, who sometimes make appearances and cheer practice. “They’re such trouble makers sometimes, that’s exactly how they act at home!”
One thing Armstrong adores about TJ is the community. “I love the culture because it truly feels like a family. Everyone steps in when help is needed. For example, during the last snowstorm I didn’t have windshield wiper blades, and Mr. Christoff offered to put them on for me. Moments like that really show how strong and supportive the culture at TJ is, and how much it means to me.”
With her strong spirit, high ambition, and amazing time management skills, Armstrong is a role model for all TJ students. She is a true example of what it means to be a TJ Spartan.
