Kristi Posey ~ Varsity Head Coach

Kristi Posey, a graduate of Union High School, is a former Highstepper Captain. After graduating from Union, she attended Kilgore College and served as Captain of the Kilgore College Rangerettes. Completing her English and Secondary Education degree at the University of Tulsa, she began working as the Assistant Coach for the Highsteppers. She spent nine years as Assistant Coach and then Head Coach, leading the team to nine state and multiple national titles. After her second child was born, she stepped away from her coaching role and worked as a technique teacher and choreographer for the team. Now, thirteen years later, she is back and ready to, once again, serve as the Head Coach for the Union Highsteppers.

Sterling Shidler ~ Varsity Assistant Coach

Sterling (Barrow) Shidler is a Union Lifer and a Highstepper Lifer. She started dancing at the age of 5 and joined Highsteppers in 6th grade. She served as Jr. Lieutenant her junior year and Captain her senior year. She took ballet and jazz classes at Oklahoma Performing Arts during high school. After her high school graduation in 2013, she attended TCC. During her time there, she coached JV Highsteppers, was a substitute teacher for Union, and began working at Oklahoma Performing Arts teaching 3-5 year olds. She received her Associates degree in early childhood education from TCC and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma in the fall of 2015. While at OU, she choreographed for Homecoming pep rally and was president of Student Oklahoma Education Association. She received the College of Education Outstanding Senior and gave the speech at her graduation. She earned her Bachelors degree in early childhood education and a minor in non-profit studies.

Sterling currently teaches pre-K at Jarman Elementary. She married Jeremy Shidler on March 15, 2019 and together they have 3 big fur babies. She will continue her teaching/internship at Oklahoma Performing Arts while coaching Highsteppers. She is so excited to be back with this beloved program!

Miranda Morrison ~ Junior High Co-Coach

Miranda’s passion for dance started at the young age of two at The Pied Piper School of Dance.  Miranda grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She even pursued gymnastics from the ages 7-9. Miranda moved studios in 8th grade to further her dance education in Ballet, Jazz, and Private lessons at Oklahoma Performing Arts until she graduated from Union High School in May of 2016.

Miranda started as a UYFA Highstepper in 6th grade, and loved every second to her senior year. Miranda was a Varsity Highstepper from 2013-2016. She served as Co-Captain her senior year and loved every minute of growing in her leadership, and helping her team succeed. She was a Senior Large Ensemble runner up her senior year. Miranda was a part of three State Kick Championships while she was a Varsity Highstepper.

Miranda graduated from Oral Roberts University in December of 2019 with a Degree in Communications and a minor in Sports Administration and Management. She will graduate in May of 2021 with her Masters of Sports Administration and Management. While at ORU, Miranda was a member of the Pom Squad, where she performed at ORU Basketball Games and many televised ORU Events. 

Miranda started teaching in 2020, 7th and 8th Grade dance at Union 6/7th Grade Center and Union 8th Grade Center. Miranda has coached JH Highsteppers for now going on 6 years. Highsteppers has given Miranda many great memories and life lessons that she has taken with her. It is bittersweet and has come full circle as Miranda is still coaching the program she loves so dearly!

Liz Gates ~ Junior High Co-Coach

Elizabeth (Liz) Gates has danced since she was about 6 years old. Being in a number of dance studios, Liz practiced ballet, jazz and lyrical. Liz  is a graduate from Union High School and a Union Lifer. Liz served as a Lieutenant for the Highsteppers her Junior year and Co-Captain her Senior year. After graduating high school, Liz went to Oklahoma State University to study secondary education. While at Oklahoma State, Liz participated in many shows and was apart of the OSU dance company. After graduating from Oklahoma State with a bachelors in secondary Education, Liz taught at Charles Page high school from 2017-2019. While at Charles Page, Liz was the Assistant Director of the varsity dance team from 2018-2019. Liz came back to teach at Union in 2019. Liz is currently a 8th grade history teacher and coaching the Union Junior High Highsteppers for her 4th year! Liz loves this program and is proud to be contributing to is legacy.

Ashlee Mathis ~ Sponsor

Ashlee has loved dancing since age 2 and it was love at first sight when she saw the Highsteppers perform at spirit assembly in 6th grade. She started her Highstepper career in 8th grade and was a Varsity Highstepper from 10th-12th grade. Ashley served as Junior Lieutenant and then made Captain her senior year. Ashlee helped her team to win 3 consecutive State Kick Championships, represented the Highsteppers on Homecoming Court and performed with the team at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. She also attended several Rangerette Summer Camps.  Her fondest memories of being a Highstepper are the countless hotel sleepovers. In her free time Ashlee loves helping her mom with her baking business, and spending time with her siblings. Ashlee is grateful for the opportunity to share her love for the Highstepper Program.