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Alpha Omega staff members are, first and foremost, hired based upon their quality as a person. They may or may not have a gymnastics background, but they do have a very proven background in working with children. They have a great, kid-friendly personality that inspires their students for life-long adventures. All staff members undergo a thorough screening and background check. Those that make it through the six-part hiring process are trained through observation, shadowing, hands-on clinics, and various online courses through USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic Committee, etc. |
Instructors of Alpha Omega Gymnastics, at a minimum, are required to complete the following membership/courses:
- USA Gymnastics Instructor Membership
- USA Gymnastics Background Check (applies only to 18 years old and up)
- USA Gymnastics U100 Course - Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction
- USA Gymnastics U110 Course – US Olympic Committee Safe Sport - Creating a safe & healthy environment for students
- USA Gymnastics U101 Course – Safety & Risk Management
Meet our Fun-Loving Instructors!
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Greg Kester President & Owner Greg began his gymnastics career in 1981. He has been involved with all aspects of the sport. He has been a competitor, men's gymnastics judge, recreational instructor, competitive coach, business manager, and administrator. But most importantly, Greg is very passionate about working with kids and creating a very fun and exciting experience for them. In 2017, after 12 years, Greg decided to leave corporate america and return back to his life's passion. He partnered with his friends in Houston in order to bring a very high quality, fun, & exciting gymnastics program to McKinney, Frisco, and the surrounding areas. Greg resides in Allen. He has been married for over 27 years to Catherine and has 3 daughters and a grand son, with more to come. He is a Deacon at his church, an Internationally rated men's gymnastics judge, and enjoys spending his time off with family. |
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Catherine Kester Co-owner Catherine grew up in small farm town in Illinois. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where she earned a Bachelors in Social Work and also met Greg. She and Greg started working together at a gymnastics gym in Mesquite and then moved to the Plano/Allen area where she taught tiny-tot, preschool, and beginning girls gymnastics. She is the mother of 3 girls and Nana to Weston. She has worked in and volunteered in various pre-school/childcare settings her entire adult life. She spent 8 years as a substitute teacher for middle and high schoolers, spending much of that time in special needs classrooms. She currently cares for an elderly couple part-time and also is a nanny for two school-aged boys. |
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Ms. Allie Program Director Allie is Greg’s middle daughter (and she claims, his favorite). She grew up all around gymnastics and has always enjoyed the preschool and recreational side. Her Dad's judging career helped her develop a love for watching men’s gymnastics. Allie had always wanted to have a career that involves working with children. She currently works full time at AOG. Allie graduated with a degree in Child Development from Texas Woman’s University. Her hobbies include watching movies, playing with her cats, and hanging out with family and friends! |
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Linda Program Manager - Membership Linda is a native Texan. Linda has a degree in Interior Design and Business. Linda has always loved sports and has enjoyed playing volleyball, softball, kickball and soccer. Linda is married to Bruce and has three children, two girls studying at Texas A&M University and one son at Allen High School. Linda met Greg and Catherine in 1996 at church and have been good friends ever since. Linda‘s hobbies include vacationing with her family, any outdoor activities, walking her dogs, using her creative brain when possible and watching her children progress through their lives. |
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Ms. Amanda Program Manager - Fun Events Amanda was Alpha Omega McKinney's first hire. She started with Alpha Omega in December, 2017. She was born in California and raised in Texas for most her life. Amanda has been working with kids since she was 14 and adds a fun-loving nature that inspires kids to learn and grow. Amanda is married to Caleb and they reside in McKinney. Her hobbies include reading, painting, drawing, and sports of all kinds, especially gymnastics! |
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Mr. Ty Class Instructor - Program Manager-Xcel Gymnastics Ty was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was raised in Allen, Texas. He attended Allen High School and trained under Yury Kartseve for several years at WOGA Plano. Ty attended the University of Oklahoma for his collegiate career, where he was a part of the 3 x Consecutive (2015, 2016, and 2017) NCAA and Club National Championship Teams. Ty started coaching girl’s gymnastics in 2011 and continued coaching at a local gym throughout his four years at Oklahoma. He graduated OU in 2017 with a Degree in Business Entrepreneurship and Venture Management. One week after graduating, Ty got married to his beautiful wife Lexie Paige. Once married, the happy couple moved back to Texas and Ty started his new job with a structural engineering firm, where he inspected residential and commercial foundations. He also coached elite level girls in gymnastics, helping his gymnasts achieve their Olympic and collegiate dreams. Ty and his wife have an young son who is growing up very fast , while bringing lots of joy everyday. Ty enjoy spending quality time with his family and friends, going up to their farm in Oklahoma, watching sports, and of course, anything BOOMER SOONER! |
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Ms. Mary-Kate Front Desk/Membership Mary-Kate has grown up helping and teaching kids through her mom’s job as a kindergarten teacher. From writing name tags to preparing the classroom for teacher's night, a passion for creating an environment for kids to have fun whilst learning has emerged. Mary-Kate has lived in Allen, TX all her life, playing softball and volleyball as she grew older. She loves to be able to bring smiles to kids faces whether be by cracking a joke or dancing silly. Mary-Kate is kind, encouraging and loving. But most of all, Mary-Kate is excited to see your kids having fun at Alpha Omega Gymnastics. |
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Ms. Elizabeth Front Desk/Membership - Program Manager-On-Demand Elizabeth grew up in Connecticut, working and enjoying a variety of sport activities, including horseback riding, ice skating, dance and Pilates. She has worked and taught children since she was 17, has a warm heart for them and wants them to believe in themselves and succeed. She developed strong skills with parents, communicating their pre-school children’s successes and needs. She now teaches a young adult women’s bible study and continues to work with women to build stronger faith filled lives. Her greatest joy comes from seeing others get excited when they learn something new or achieve what they previously could not do! Her hobbies include reading, writing book reviews, hiking, and photography. Currently, she is on a quest to find the best Boba Tea in the Metroplex. |
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Ms. Ashleigh Class Instructor Ashleigh was born in California but has lived most of her life in McKinney, Texas. She has always been involved with kids and sports. She played basketball for 6 years and then went on to dance for 4 years. She was also on her High School drill team, the Independence Royals, her senior year! Ashleigh currently attends Collin College in pursuit of her Teaching Degree. She has always had a passion for taking care of and teaching children. She is glad that she has the opportunity to enhance the lives of her students at Alpha Omega Gymnastics! |
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Ms. Macie Class Instructor Macie, Greg's youngest daughter, has been around gymnastics her whole life. She started doing gymnastics at a young age, and even though she stopped, she still has a heart for it. Macie is currently a student at Oklahoma Baptist University, and studying to be a teacher. She has a love for teaching and for kids. Macie is very fun-oriented, sweet-minded, and diligent. She is always ready to step up when needed and to make sure everybody has a good time. Macie enjoys taking adventures, traveling, spending time with the people she loves, and being active. Being a gymnastics coach is something she had always wanted to do, and she loves it! |
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Mr. Sam Class Instructor Sam has been in Texas his whole life, being born in McKinney and living in Lucas. His love for kids of all ages is evident with him volunteering to teaching 1 year olds and 2 year olds at church as well as 1st - 5th grade kids. Though his favorite sport is soccer, he really enjoys being with the kids, encouraging them to pursue a high goal. He enjoys helping kids achieve success. He got hired last summer for an internship in the Children’s Ministry. This was his first job experience and let him see how a business is ran and what is most important when working with kids: Safety. Sam attends college at the University of Texas @ Dallas and is working on his Engineering Degree. His hobbies include soccer, video games, playing board games with his family (and winning), as well as doing nerdy things. |
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Ms. Hannah |
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Ms. Tori |
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Ms. Ryleigh |
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Ms. Valerie Class Instructor, Creative Assistant Valerie is Greg's oldest daughter. She currently lives in Anna with her husband, Ryan, and her baby boy, Weston. Her love of gymnastics started as soon as she could move around and many of her childhood memories are in a gym. She did gymnastics competitively for years, and when she was old enough, began coaching gymnastics. She coached all levels of recreational and competitive gymnastics and tumbling during high school and college. She currently works as a full-time Kindergarten teacher in Plano ISD and a part-time coach for AOG. |
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Mr. Robert Class Instructor Robert was born and raised in Allen, Texas. Robert is currently enrolled at Allen High School. He is in PALS (peer assistance leadership) and Wings (we inspires the next generation to soar). He has played Football, baseball, soccer, basketball, and ran track. Robert enjoys hanging out with family, friends and his dogs. He is wanting to attend Texas A&M soon where he will study engineering. |
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Future Staff Member Could this be you? We are always looking for awesome, fun-loving staff members. If you have a passion for kids and want a job that is exciting and fun, we want to learn more about you. Please call us @ 469-859-9936! |
