Debbie Johnson Program Director /
Head Team Coach
DEBBIE@ORLANDOGYMNASTICS.COM
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Debbie was born and raised in Maspeth, New York. After seeing Olga Korbut compete in the 1972 Olympics, this 8 year old began her gymnastics career. She competed on the GroverClevelandHigh School gymnastics team for four years and was the team captain in both her junior and senior years. She was named the Most Valuable Player in her senior year. She qualified to the City Championships in vaulting during her junior and senior years. At the International Gymnastics Camp, she was voted "Most Dedicated" by her team and coaches.
Debbie began coaching when she was 14 years old for a small program at Maspeth Town Hall, and coached at Grover Cleveland High School for 2 years after Graduation. Upon moving to Florida in 1988, Debbie started coaching at the Martin County YMCA where she worked under Head Coach Stefan Bogdan, former National Team Coach for the Romanian and West German National Coach. The knowledge and experience in coaching under his tutelage has been invaluable. Later, after moving to Sarasota, Debbie began working for the Venice YMCA where she moved up to the position of Director and Head Coach. In 1997, she moved to Orlando to open Orlando Gymnastics and Cheerleading.
Debbie is a Skill Evaluator (1988), PDP Certified (Professional Development Program) Levels 1(1992) and 2(1995), and Safety Certified since 1992. She has taught all ages and levels of gymnastics for 24 years.
Debbie's greatest memory as a gymnast was when she was awarded the "Most Valuable Player" award in her senior year of High School. Her greatest memory as a coach was when her first team won YMCA States in 1991. If she ever gets the opportunity Debbie would enjoy mountain climbing and hiking, but in the meantime she enjoys swimming and running as her form of exercise. |