Coach Peaches(Ms.Sanders)

Porsche Sanders, known to her athletes as Coach Peaches, grew up in the heart of Stop Six, Fort Worth, Texas, in a community that shaped her deeply. She attended Maudrie M. Walton Elementary, joined the magnet program at Morningside Middle School, and completed her high school years at Fossil Ridge High School in Keller. While Fort Worth has always been home, after graduating, she ventured beyond the city limits to find herself.

Her athletic talent led her to Abilene Christian University, where she excelled as a powerlifter and threw discus and shotput for the track team. However, after a year, she realized the culture wasn’t the right fit and returned to Fort Worth in search of a new path. A chance encounter with a high school friend led her to Huston-Tillotson University in Austin. The move brought her academic success and the life-changing news that she was going to be a mother. Balancing motherhood with her studies, Coach Sanders earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry and a specialization in Mathematics.

Initially, her career aspirations were focused on medicine, but life had other plans. After spotting a flyer offering teaching jobs with benefits, she took a chance on a profession she hadn’t planned on—teaching. To her surprise, she fell in love with it. Having grown up as the eldest sibling and cousin, she was used to being around children, but teaching brought new rewards. She cherished watching her students grow, graduate, and return to give back to the community.

Coach Sanders’ journey in education wasn’t without its challenges. At Mendez Middle School in Austin, she faced profiling and bullying from a principal who mocked her appearance in front of colleagues. Despite the hurt, she persevered, knowing she had to provide for her daughter. Her hard work paid off when her students achieved the highest scores, and this success led to new opportunities, including a role at Webb Middle School. Determined to make a bigger impact, she pursued administration, vowing to create environments where no one would experience the kind of bullying she had.

Her leadership blossomed at Idea Public Schools in El Paso, where she supported her team in achieving the highest scores in the region. Though she faced challenges with her principal, her results spoke for themselves, earning her a promotion to lead math across the region. Yet, as her career grew, she never lost sight of her family. In 2012, she returned to Fort Worth, volunteering at Dunbar Middle School before securing a position at the Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA). There, she rescued a struggling math department, helping to stabilize the academy through her hard work and dedication.

After years in administrative roles, contributing to the success of students and schools, Coach Peaches made a pivotal decision—she chose to refocus on her family. Teaching allowed her the flexibility to be there for her three children, and as a track coach, she strengthened her connection with the young people she mentored. Her students became “her sons,” and she supported them in every way.

For Coach Peaches, success means excelling in every role—mother, friend, teacher, coach. Her principles are rooted in faith, self-care, and standing up for what’s right. She strives to set an example of strength and resilience for her children, showing them the importance of pursuing greatness while staying true to one’s values.

Though her heart remains in teaching, her entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. Coach Peaches owns her own businesses and plans to eventually shift her focus to them full-time, allowing her to prioritize her family even more. As she looks to the future, she encourages others to create their own paths, reminding them that failure is part of the journey and that a strong support system—whether family or friends—makes all the difference.