Rebecca Berthold

For the past three years, Rebecca Berthold has been a key figure in Flour Bluff ISD’s athletic program, ensuring that student-athletes receive the care and support they need to stay on the field. With 15 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer, Berthold has dedicated her career to keeping athletes healthy and helping them recover from injuries.

Berthold’s journey into athletic training began in high school, where she ran cross country and suffered an injury. That moment led her to discover the field of athletic training and set her on a path that allowed her to combine her love for sports with a career in healthcare.

“I ran cross country in high school, got injured, and then found an athletic trainer,” Berthold said. “That’s how I figured out this was a profession that someone could do, and I realized I could still be involved in sports.”

As an athletic trainer, Berthold doesn’t teach a traditional classroom subject, but her work is just as impactful. She spends her time assisting injured students, developing rehabilitation plans, and working with athletes to get them back to peak performance.

“It’s definitely the interaction with the kids and seeing them grow up,” Berthold said. “Now that I’ve been here for three years, my first group of seventh graders are now freshmen. It’s really neat to see how much they’ve grown and improved in their sports.”

Creating a supportive and welcoming environment is also a priority for Berthold. She understands that injuries can be stressful for student-athletes, so she makes an effort to ease their concerns.

“Sometimes they’re coming to me in a stressful situation because they’re injured and worried about what that means for playing time,” Bethold said. “So I try to engage with them on a more personal level. I’ll ask, ‘What’s your favorite music?’ and maybe put that on during rehab to help them feel more comfortable.”

Berthold hopes that students walk away from their experiences with her knowing that they have someone in their corner.

“I want them to know that we’re here for them,” she said. “My goal is to advocate for them and get them better as quickly as possible.”

She also recognizes the unique commitment that Flour Bluff ISD has to its students. Many middle schools don’t have access to athletic trainers, but Berthold is proud to be part of a district that prioritizes student safety.

“Having an athletic trainer on staff means there’s a lot of oversight to the medical care that some schools don’t always have,” Berthold said. “It really shows that Flour Bluff cares about their athletes.”

Outside of her role at Flour Bluff, Berthold stays busy with family life. Her husband serves in the U.S. Navy, and together they have two fourth-grade sons who also attend Flour Bluff ISD.

“My hobbies are basically herding fourth graders,” Berthold said. “They’re both involved in soccer and all kinds of activities, so that keeps me busy.”

When she does find time for herself, reading and reality TV are her go-to escapes.

“I’m definitely a big book reader,” she said. “And I love reality TV—Bravo is my channel. Me and The Real Housewives? Very close.”

Although she hasn’t been at Flour Bluff as long as some of her colleagues, Berthold hopes to inspire students to consider a career in athletic training.

“It’s a great field to be in, and we’re a little understaffed right now,” Berthold said. “I want more students to see this as a career path so that more schools and athletes can have access to trainers.”

Her philosophy is simple: show up for students, advocate for their well-being, and make sure they feel supported in every step of their recovery.

“Just being present is the most important thing,” Berthold said.

Her advice to colleagues and students alike? 

“Put the students first,” Berthold said. “Put their needs first, and you’ll never go wrong.”

From the sidelines to the training room, Berthold’s passion for her work and dedication to Flour Bluff’s student-athletes continue to make a lasting impact.