Kotsiani, Athanasia, Middle School Swimming Coach
Athanasia Kotsiani earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports Science from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in swimming (2004), and a Master’s degree in Education and Creative Learning from Democritus University of Thrace (2014). She has been part of the ACS Athens faculty since 2005, teaching Physical Education in Middle and High School and is now in her second year teaching Physical Education in the Elementary School, working with students in Grades 3–5.
Ms. Kotsiani is a certified lifeguard, international swimming official, wall climbing operator/supervisor, and CPR/First Aid emergency responder. Since joining ACS Athens, she has coached the school’s swimming teams, alternating between the High School and Middle School teams over the years. She also coached cross-country for five seasons and has contributed to the after-school swimming program for 19 years.
Over the past three years, Ms. Kotsiani has developed experiential learning opportunities that encourage students to rethink their perceptions of diversity, disability, inclusion, and what it means to be a conscious global citizen. For two years, she led this work in the Middle School through adapted and inclusive sports, hands-on activities, workshops, guest speakers, community partnerships, service learning, and student-led initiatives. These experiences encouraged students to move beyond awareness toward greater understanding, empathy, reflection, and meaningful action. After transitioning to the Elementary School, she continued this work by adapting the approach for younger learners and their developmental needs. As she begins her second year in Elementary, she continues to use Physical Education as a setting where students learn to appreciate differences, recognize and value the abilities and perspectives of others, and understand how their choices and actions can contribute to a more caring, respectful, principled, and inclusive community. Through this work, Ms. Kotsiani seeks to nurture learners who not only understand the values of conscious global citizenship, but actively put them into practice within their school and wider community.
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Ms. Kotsiani believes that Physical Education is much more than being active. It is an opportunity for students to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and healthy habits while learning to support one another and contribute positively to their community.
email: kotsiania@acs.gr