Pacesetter Directors

Katie Hightower -

Katie Hightower has been the Pacesetter Director since 2015. Mrs. Hightower comes to Pearce from two years as JV Drill Team Director & varsity assistant at Rowlett High School, where she served as Ms. Coleman-Paul's director, and two years as the assistant at Wakeland High School in Frisco.

Mrs. Hightower, a graduate of South Garland High School, is a former member of the Southern Belles, having served as Lieutenant her junior and senior year. She started college at Richland Community College where she danced professionally for the Dallas Sidekicks "Sizzle" Dance team for one year. She then attended Kilgore College in Kilgore for two years. At Kilgore, Mrs. Hightower was a member of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes and Swingsters. Her performance credits as a Rangerette include: Dallas Cowboy's game, George W. Bush's second Inaugural Parade, the Texas Society Black Tie and Boots Ball, and a Carnival Cruise.

Mrs. Hightower completed her undergraduate work at the University of North Texas. While at UNT, she was selected for The Dallas Dance Company, under the direction of Mrs. Michelle Davis, dancing at various community and charity events. With a major in Communications, Mrs. Hightower graduated from UNT in 2010.

Mrs. Hightower was an instructor for Starmakers Dance and Performance Camps from 2003-2009. Currently, she is a staff member for the American Dance and Drill Team Camps as a summer camp instructor and contest season adjudicator. Regularly, Mrs. Hightower travels with Spirit of America Productions for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. In December of 2012, Mrs. Hightower was invited to perform with Spirit of America in the London New Year's Day parade.

Mrs. Hightower currently teaches Dance Aerobics, Drill Team Prep and Country Western Prep. Mr. and Mrs. Hightower reside in Richardson, TX with their daughter Emma and dog Cookie. 

Madison Coleman-Paul  - 

Madison Coleman-Paul comes to Pearce from Jackson Middle School in Forney, where she taught dance full time and started the school’s first drill team. 

Ms. Coleman-Paul graduated from Rowlett High School, where she served as a drill team officer three out of four years, one of which was under the direction of Mrs. Hightower! She continued her education at McLennan Community College where she was a part of their competitive dance team, before transferring to Stephen F. Austin State University. Her last semester at SFA was spent student teaching at Pearce, alongside Mrs. Hightower, completing her Dance Education degree in May of 2020.

Ms. Coleman-Paul currently serves as the Pacesetter Assistant Director, Folklórico Director, and Dance 1-4 instructor at Pearce. She is excited for this new chapter in her education career!