Bailee Tomlianovich carries the kind of energy people assume must come from some supernatural reserve—until she explains her life, her habits, and her history with Centralia High School. Then it becomes clear: she's not powered by magic, just commitment. Born and raised here, she graduated in 2008, played softball at the University of Indianapolis and Lindenwood, student taught in these same halls, and stepped right into a full-time PE position in August of 2012—three months after crossing the stage at Lindenwood. The kids just call her Coach T—the last name is like a ball of yarn that gets away from you.

Athletics have been the backbone of her life since childhood. She played basketball and softball here, ran one reluctant season of cross country for conditioning, and then launched into college athletics before returning home for good. Early in her career, she coached constantly—beginning Christ Our Rock’s first ever softball program and then assistant volleyball, basketball, softball—sometimes two sports at a time. Parenting eventually changed the pace, but only slightly. Bailee and her husband, John, the veteran IT cornerstone of the district, are raising five children: a college softball player turned Illinois State alum now in pharmacy school, a son studying electrical engineering at SIU Edwardsville, and daughters ages 12, 7, and 3 who are already on the softball trajectory. "Something like that," she jokes, but there's pride beneath it.

Her own day often begins at 3:45 a.m. if she's squeezing in a workout before teaching, coaching, and leading her early bird PE class at 7:10. It's a demanding schedule, but fitness has always been her reset button. "Right when you finish working out," she says, "you just feel that overwhelming happiness feeling and sort of calm." She sees the same transformation in her students: the sleepy, dragging faces that walk into PE suddenly become alert once they start moving.

That's a big part of why the new staff weight room matters to her. It began as a morale initiative under Dr. Lane and his wife, Danielle, who redesigned the staff lounge into a warm, communal space. The weight room extends that same philosophy—giving adults another place to decompress, reconnect, and feel better in their own bodies. Teachers had been emailing Bailee, asking where to begin and what might work for someone brand new to fitness. Now, they have a place designed for all levels, from experienced lifters to those who just want to walk on a treadmill without feeling out of place.

When Chuck asked if she wanted to help fill the space, her reaction was immediate: "This is like a dream. I would be a fitness instructor or own a gym if I were doing anything else." She brought in kettlebells, mats, lifting platforms, cardio equipment, and more on the way. The local hospital donated a full-body composition scanner—measuring posture, body fat, and hundreds of data points—allowing staff to track progress in more meaningful ways than a scale. Plans are underway for before- and after-school classes, along with workout tracks for beginners through advanced participants. She and Chuck have even explored friendly competition ideas for getting healthier without obsessing over a number on a scale. She wants something better. Good health is much more than a single data point.

What excites her most is the connection it creates. I call them grip points—the ways colleagues naturally bond without being told to. Bailee agreed immediately. A strong staff culture plays directly into student experience, and she sees this space as another way to help people feel supported at work rather than siloed.

Her students benefit from the same mindset. Bailee insists that PE is not "just PE"; it's an on-ramp to lifelong wellness. From daily short workouts they can do at home to activities like golf and badminton, she wants them to leave with skills they can use forever. Sometimes, on the side, a girl will email her: "Hey, I liked that workout we did today. Can you send me another one I can do at home?" It gets through to some of them.

Years ago, when CrossFit was at its national peak, she traveled widely to compete and nearly left teaching to pursue it full-time. She laughs about that now, but the instinct remains: she gravitates toward challenge, toward the edge of growth. "Obviously, I'm going to be here my whole life," she says. "I truly do love it here."

Centralia High School is better for it.