Alex Kampa, age 31, is a former hockey coach for the Sartell High School girls’ hockey team. Her life before retirement was busy as a coach, special education teacher, and a new mom. 

Alex has been a special education teacher here at Sartell High School for six years now, while she’s been coaching the girls’ hockey team for about eight years. This is her first year not coaching the team due to a new baby!

Alex graduated from St.Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in special education.  She is currently trying to get her master’s in the same field. Alex, during her high school years, played hockey, and participated in the U-18 IIHF World Championships with Team USA where she won a gold medal, beating Canada in overtime. While coaching with the Storm’n Sabers, Kampa and her team got the opportunity to play in the Minnesota State High School League state tournament, as well as, the outdoor game during Hockey Day in Minnesota. 

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During my time coaching, I enjoyed building relationships and bonds with my team that will last a lifetime.

— Alex Kampa

Since coaching Kampa has transitioned to motherhood while still staying involved with past players and her students. Xander was born on September 17th, 2020 weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces. While dealing with the pandemic and a new baby, life was challenging yet rewarding. It’s her first child and there may be more to come in the future. Some challenges she faced were not being able to see family members and show off the little one to loved ones including the grandparents. During this time even her husband wasn’t allowed in some appointments.

Teaching was also a difficulty she faced during this time of uncertainty, with not being able to physically see her students, teaching wasn’t the same, but she tried to make the most out of it. Even in times of hardship she always puts a smile on her face and makes sure her students get the love and attention they deserve.

While life was at a standstill during Covid, she continued to try and make the best out of it by spending as much time with her family. One of her favorite memories was taking little Zander to the waterpark and towards the end of lockdown.  Her sister was able to come in and spend time with them.

One of the biggest lessons she learned from becoming a first-time parent was you can never form love and a bond as strong as a mother to her child. As a new normal is starting to make a comeback, life is progressing positively for Alex and her family, and she can’t wait for memories to blossom.