Kiera Qualls joins Aubrey High School as an educator and cheer head coach
A gymnast since around age 7, it seems Kiera Qualls has tumbled into her destiny.
“I think once you get into gymnastics and you see the cheerleaders at football games and basketball games and stuff, I just really fell in love with cheerleading,” Qualls said. “I was head over heels for it then and my mom couldn’t get me out of cheer after that.”
Having grown up in Carrollton, Texas, the Hebron High School graduate who spent all four years as a cheerleader in high school, and participated in competitive cheer, is bringing her talents to Aubrey High School, leading the cheer program.
Qualls is no stranger to spirit-filled offerings in the area.
As a former director of operations for the local Cross Roads Chick-fil-A, she’s seen her share of spirit days, Meet the Chaps, the Peanut Festival and other district and city-related events in Aubrey. She’s also served as a tumbling coach for Texas Elite further up the road in Pilot Point.
Qualls is strong in what she says and does not say.
With an Associate of Applied Science degree from Collin College in sign language interpreting and a minor in American Sign Language (ASL) studies, Qualls will also start this school year as a first-year teacher who will implement ASL as a new language of study in Aubrey ISD.
Qualls chose ASL for her language credits in high school.
“I always kind of struggled in school, honestly, and sign language was easy for me,” Qualls said. “It was something that I could get a hold of and understand, and I actually surprised myself a lot when I was able to do that.”
Qualls developed a love for ASL and was determined to help people understand each other.
“I realized that you can communicate with deaf people and I just wanted to bridge the gap of communication because there’s nothing that they can’t do, other than hear,” she said.
A chance opportunity to go to work with her aunt who worked for Child Protective Services (CPS) led to Qualls being able to assist someone in a time of need.
“I was able to meet a lady that was hard of hearing and she did sign language and I understood her and I was able to advocate for her just getting medications and the things that she needed,” Qualls said. “It was just amazing to be able to just communicate with her and know that that was a skill that people lack in, and I was just able to advocate for her and I was like, ‘This is something that I definitely want to learn and do.’”
Qualls mentioned that before landing this opportunity at Aubrey High School, she shared with her family, “If I could just do sign language and cheerleading, my life would be great.”
She sees the ability to do both as an ultimate present.
“It literally just tied up in a bow and gifted to me,” Qualls said.
Qualls hopes the biggest take aways for the cheer squads is that they understand their roles as leaders on the field, in their classrooms and in their daily life. She sees foundation as an important first step.
“Building a culture, and a positive culture from the start is what shapes our team,” Qualls said. “The girls on the team are amazing. They’ve been excited to have a coach and are super supportive of it and I pour my all into the team, and the biggest thing is just building their confidence. I’m just positive and encouraging and this is a dream job truly for me. It’s any and everything that I ever wanted to do.”
Qualls described having Dr. Vanessa Zavar as her assistant principal when she was a student at Hebron High School, to now having her as principal of the campus for her professional career as a “full circle moment.”
Dr. Zavar looks forward to seeing Qualls in her cheer role and the role she’ll play in expansion of the Languages Other Than English (LOTE) department.
“I’m so excited to have the energy, the experience and the exposure of Cheer Coach Qualls coming to our high school,” Dr. Zavar said. “I’m equally excited for her knowledge base in ASL that she can bring to our language program and help expand the offerings we’re able to give our students.”
Qualls is happy to blend her experiences to impact her career and Aubrey ISD.
“This is my passion so I’m coming into it with a whole bunch of care,” Qualls said. “Of course, I’ve got to be flexible and just learn the new ways that Aubrey does, traditions and things like that, but I’m coming in with a positive attitude and just ready for growth…to grow with the team and the school and the community in general.”
JOIN AUBREY HIGH SCHOOL CHEER COACH KIERA QUALLS FOR A MEET AND GREET IN THE AUBREY HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY ON FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 2026 FROM 5:30 - 6:30 P.M.