PEABODY — Since graduating from Peabody High School in 2008, Tawny Palmieri has been fortunate to be able to return to the Tanners as both a teacher and field hockey coach.
“It was weird to be back teaching there as well as being able to coach,” Palmieri said. “It’s just crazy to do a 360 and come back to where you once were.”
Adjusting to her new roles in Peabody was made easier thanks to a great group of student athletes and parents to work with.
“It’s been good, field hockey this season went great. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” Palmieri said. “From the group that I was coaching to even the parents that you deal with it was always a pleasure. These are the type of people I don’t mind talking to and being around. I love to give back to this community.”
Palmieri, who played softball at Peabody before moving on to play at UMass Amherst and then Merrimack College, will take on a different role this spring after being named head coach of the Tanners softball team. She received the appointment earlier this month.
“Being able to give back to where I went to school and a team that I once played for is a dream come true,” Palmieri said.
But the decision wasn’t an easy one for Palmieri, who had been coaching the softball team at Melrose High.
“It was a tough decision in the sense of leaving Melrose,” Palmieri said. “I was only there for a year but it was such a great experience. I had no reason to leave other than to come back to where I played. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity than this. It’s a once in a lifetime chance to come coach here at Peabody.”
With four years of coaching experience under her belt, Palmieri is ready to set the bar high for Peabody in her first season.
“I’m hoping to do something special with this team here at Peabody,” Palmieri said. “I’m both excited and nervous about it. I’m just going to keep coaching the way I know how and have been for four years. I’m going to keep it going and transition the best I can.
“Peabody is loaded with talent in every sport so expectations are always going to be high from everyone including myself,” Palmieri added. “Coming from coaching Hamilton-Wenham and then Melrose and now to Peabody, I set my standard very high from a talent perspective and in terms of motivation. Every player needs to have the same motivation level as a coach in order to succeed.”
Palmieri hasn’t had the chance to become familiar with her players yet but she is hoping that they’ll be ready to dedicate the hard work necessary for a successful season.
“I always set a high bar for my student athletes,” Palmieri said. “Obviously you’re a student first but to have that talent ability as an athlete, I expect them to have the same motivation that I do. I’m looking forward to it. I have already heard some rumors that they have that motivation so that’s exciting.”
While the bar may be high for her players at the start, Palmieri doesn’t want to get too far ahead of herself when setting goals for the 2019 season.
“It is early I don’t want to get ahead of myself but you are obviously always coaching to get in the state championship,” Palmieri said. “The final goal is always the same, but we are never going to take any team lightly. We will take one game at a time, set a goal to win the league and then hopefully more. Right now I’m just excited to be back and get the chance to give back to this team.”