I have to focus on the safety of our community during the day, but I still focus on the safety of our team members at night. I want our cheerleaders to be productive, to progress in a safe environment and to develop good life lessons.

All star cheerleading coaches come from all walks of life. Athletes rarely consider what keeps their coaches busy during the day, but in reality, the contrast between their lives during the day and their nights at the gym can be quite drastic.

Terri Escobar, a long-time all star coach in Sugar Land, Texas, gives hugs and high fives at night when coaching her athletes. But during the day, she holds criminals accountable to the law as a probation officer.

Below, Terri shares how her career in law enforcement fits with her coaching lifestyle.

Tell us about your day job.

For the last 20 years, I have worked at the Fort Bend County Supervision and Corrections Department. I am a probation officer and a court officer. My primary job is to enforce the conditions of probation when someone is arrested for a crime. If the conditions aren't met, I have to report them to the court. During the day, I work with anything from tickets to first-degree felons.

How did you get into coaching?

I got into coaching when I was in high school. I started coaching as a senior, and I paid my way through college by coaching tumbling and cheerleading.

Tell us about transitioning from dealing with criminals during the day to working with cheerleaders at night?

It's a change of hats that I have to switch on and off. I have to focus on the safety of our community during the day, but I still focus on the safety of our team members at night. I want our cheerleaders to be productive, progress in a safe environment and develop good life lessons. It's difficult switching hats, but it is such a blessing for me to go from a world where progress is difficult to go into the gym and work with kids who are eager to learn.

What do your co-workers at the courthouse think about your cheerleading job?

They are very supportive and always ask me for the schedule of my classes for their own children. They know the type of person I am, and that I'll keep their kids disciplined; but at the same time, I want them to have fun. They are impressed that I can juggle working days and nights along with competitions, but in reality, it's a stress-reliever for me. The kids are learning, and I'm making a difference in the community, so it's a win-win for everyone.

Do you apply the discipline you use during the day to the athletes you work with at night?

I do, but the only difference is I make it a little more lighthearted with the kids. The athletes are aware I have no problem going to their parents if they are having issues with their skills, attitude or work ethic. The parents are very welcoming, and encourage me to do whatever is necessary to help their child succeed. They know I have their child's best interest in mind.

Do you have any advice for parents on how to raise well-behaved kids?

Always, always be there for your child, whether they're doing good or they're doing bad. They need to know that they have a safety net regardless of the situation, and that they always have a place they can come home to. Keep them busy, involved and doing community service. Idle time is not good for kids. Have open communication about tough issues that come up every single day. You need to teach your kids about the dangers of drugs early before they are caught up in the legal system. I can't emphasize enough that you need to really talk to your kid. You want your child to be able to tell you the issues they have at school or with friends.

DAY VS. NIGHT

DAY: Wears a suit and heels
NIGHT: Wears leggings and t-shirt (shoes are optional)

DAY: Expects offenders to comply with conditions and won't take excuses for falling short
NIGHT: Expects good behavior and effort from her athletes and calls them out if they aren't giving their all

DAY: Has been dedicated to the job for 20 years
NIGHT: Has been coaching for the three decades and 10 years at the same gym

DAY: Reports criminal offenders' bad probation behavior to the court
NIGHT: Reports back to parents if kids are struggling with skills, attitude or work ethic

DAY: Attempts to rehabilitate criminals into productive citizens
NIGHT: Teaches life lessons to kids about giving back to their community, working hard, being kind and making good decisions so they will avoid future problems