If you have ever considered participating in softball at East High School but don’t know who to contact, meet the new coach Amy Farmer-Shannon. Shannon comes to East with an impressive softball resume, including her own career playing college softball at Mizzou to her successful run as a coach. She is hoping to create an inspiring, positive and teaching softball program here at East High School.
Farmer-Shannon started her journey at East High softball this spring for the 2026 season. She has enforced many new adjustments to the softball program that has allowed both the organization and athletes to grow in many areas. “The biggest goal of coaching, in my opinion, for me is by the time the girls graduate that they are strong independent women who have an understanding of what they want to do in their next stage of life,” Farmer-Shannon said.
Farmer Shannon has been working to build a program by creating a culture for the girls to lean on one another as teammates and as friends. Taking skills from her time at Mizzou and applying them here at East to fulfill the goals she has set. While working to make changes in this program, she also works as a social emotional behavior interventionist, meeting kids where they are emotionally, behaviorally and academically to make their experiences at East successful.
“She has an understanding of some of the challenges that our students face, she’s a problem solver, and knows just how to make things happen while staying very organized,” activity director JR Randall said. When in the process of searching for and hiring for the position Randall found Farmer-Shannon to be a great communicator with the ability to help students here at East. These are just some qualities found in Farmer-Shannon along with others that come from different aspects of her life. She helps students all around the building working towards a successful graduation.
She raised eight kids with her husband along with her cows, horses and in the past chickens. Shannon’s hobbies outside of softball, and her job usually take place or relates to things outside, with her kids and animals.
“The majority of my kids were exposed to some kind of ball whether that’s soccer, track, cross country, softball, and baseball, so that’s been fun,” Farmer-Shannon said.
Farmer Shannon has worked to create a supporting and influential program for her athletes. While she wants a fun program, she also allows room to grow as athletes and students. The returning athletes already see the difference.
“Creating an even balance between getting better as a player but also knowing you have the support behind you knowing you have people who want you to get better and show it,” junior Mia Martin said.
Although it’s early in the season there is growth happening. Shannon-Farmer has come to East with a motive she’s already starting to achieve, helping East High become stronger in many aspects.
